The Ghillie Girls: Irish Dance Pals by Heidi Will

What to eat while reading:  Sugar Cookie Dolls*

*For the next few months I will be reviewing Irish dance related books, along with my usual YA reviews.  To go along with the Irish books, I will be trying various Irish recipes(watch for Sugar Cookie Dolls to be posted as soon as I test it in my kitchen). 
Brightly colored and easy to read, The Ghillie Girls introduces Irish dance in a fun format that will appeal to those who want to know more about Irish dance, and those who already love it.

What I liked:

The book introduces four very different girls who have one thing in common: a love for Irish dance. Heidi Will uses these girls to illustrate the terms and language that is unique to Irish dance. Vocabulary blurbs define the words that are sometimes foreign to the beginning Irish dancer.

Bold and colorful, the illustrations show striking colors reminiscent of the flamboyant solo dresses often worn in competition. The cut-out style of the pictures make me think of paper dolls.

I love the information page in the back page that includes vocabulary, Irish dance history and direction of where to find an Irish dance school.

What I would have changed:

I would love to see more of an adventure with the girls (perhaps later books are planned for the Ghillie Girls to adventure in). The book is very informative, but I would like to have seen a bit more conflict and resolve, which easily could have been slipped in towards the end when talking about competition. 

The Verdict:

This early reader/middle grade book is a pleasant romp through the world of Irish dance.

Purchase: The Ghillie Girls: Irish Dance Pals

Genre: MG, Early Reader

Publisher: November 15th 2008 by Cinealta Press

Where I got the book: Cineatla Press*

*The only compensation I received for this review was a copy of the book.