The daughter of a laundress, young Anna Pavlova had few opportunities to see ballet, but they were enough to fill her with wonder and an unwavering longing to dance. Written in spare, evocative text, the narrative follows Anna's life as she studies at the Imperial Ballet School, becomes a beloved famous dancer, and travels the world to share her love of ballet. The graceful illustrations illuminate the text and capture Pavlova's essence beautifully. Simple line drawings evoke an earlier age, and Morstad deftly uses fine details to capture the time period. Thoughtful palette choices mirror tone and setting: the bright colors of India, the drab surroundings of her childhood apartment, and the rich but subdued curtains of the stage. The author takes special care to emphasize Anna's belief that hard work is the foundation of success, but also that ballet was for everyone, not just the elite. The author's note sheds light on Pavlova's motivation and includes fascinating tidbits about dancers' lives in Russia. A short bibliography is also included.