Inspired by unhappy memories of her childhood dance classes, Vancouver writer Ainslie Manson has written a picture book that will immediately strike a chord with many children and parents.

In her heart, anxious Allison is a character who knows she’s just as good as the other dancers in her class about to perform Swan Lake for a recital. Still, her fragile self-confidence keeps being snuffed out by the constant reminders of how she’s “too different.” Nobody else but Allison wears glasses, is missing so many teeth, has scrawny pigtails, and has to wear the ugliest of the swan costumes.

Manson relates this engaging story through the eyes of Allison’s older brother, Ben. Ben’s stuck with the responsibility for taking care of Allison on the day of the recital because their mother has to work late. At first he grumbles and ignores Allison, then feeling badly for her, reluctantly starts helping her prepare for the big night. Whatever she’s worried about, Ben quickly comes up with a comic, creative solution. To calm Allison’s stage fright, he advises her not to wear her glasses so she won’t be able to see the audience, solving two problems in one swoop. Both Allison’s and Ben’s emotions and behaviour ring true and are presented with appealing, good-natured honesty.

Although the illustrations by Dean Griffiths are a lively match for Manson’s story, their limited colour scheme tends to make them blend after a while. That aside, the book’s a delightful demonstration of how, with a bit of ingenuity, too different can be transformed into winningly distinctive.