A Black girl finds the inspiration she needs to shine from her beloved doll.Sports fans who followed champion Williams upon her return to tennis after becoming a mother also became familiar with her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., and Alexis' Black baby doll Qai Qai, who has a huge social media presence. Now, the child and her doll take center stage in their own picture-book adventure. Baby Girl loves to dance and move throughout her home with her mother, who is Black, her father, who is White, and, of course, Qai Qai. However, as Baby Girl's upcoming dance recital approaches, she admits to her doll that she is nervous about getting her dance just right with so many people watching. Qai Qai becomes real and assures her that she will be able to overcome her stage fright and give an outstanding performance. Qai Qai's confidence helps Baby Girl find the courage to set her fear aside and believe in her ability on the dance stage. Williams' celebrity and Qai Qai's following will attract readers to this lively, encouraging tale of self-belief and friendship. Making heavy use of shimmering pink and purple hues, the vivid, fluid digital art effectively brings to life a story infused with magic and movement. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An upbeat, energetic reminder that all children need support to help them learn to believe in themselves. (Picture book. 2-5)

Tennis star Williams brings her celebrated positivity and fashion sense to this upbeat story of Baby Girl, a Black child who loves to “prance, passé, and pirouette” at home but is nervous about her solo in an upcoming recital. Cheered on by her doll, Qai Qai, come magically to life, Baby Girl dons an outfit that makes her feel “ready for anything.” She also learns that just as her belief in Qai Qai’s friendship enabled the doll’s transformation, her belief in herself will ensure that Baby Girl dances her very best. The book focuses on the relationship between the girl and doll (the latter, Williams’s commercially available design), as well as Baby Girl’s bond with her supportive parents, portrayed as interracial. Moises’s bright digital cartoon art, dominated by shades of purple, pink, and blue, aptly reflects the book’s element of fantasy laced with optimism. Ages 2–5. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 2 —The tennis champ's first book features a small Black ballerina is an upbeat if simplistic look at the road to success. In Moises's bright, lively cartoon-style artwork, Baby Girl's ebullient hair puffs cloudlike around her head as she dances through her house (often en pointe—in fact, famously dangerous for young beginners' bones). Before a live performance she fears forgetting the steps, and turns for support to her doll, based on Williams's real-life daughter's doll, Qai Qai. In response to Baby Girl's belief in her, Qai Qai comes to life, directing her to raid Mama's closet; they visit the theatre, where Qai Qai urges: "Trust your instincts." Her parents also boost her confidence. She wants Qai Qai to come on stage with her, but the doll assures her that being always with her in spirit is "how best friends work." "I believe in myself," Baby Girl says, and her parents report that her performance (not illustrated) was amazing. As in Peter Pan, believing produces success: no learning, practicing, coaching, patience, discipline, etc., required. VERDICT Technical quibbles aside, the positive message will resonate with many, and the frilly outfits in neon pink and lavender will win others.—Patricia Lothrop