Charlotte the Ballerina

Charlotte Nebres is a fourteen-year-old pre-professional ballet dancer. Charlotte was the first Black dancer to be cast as Marie--the young heroine of "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker"--in New York City Ballet's show. Her history-making performance during the 2019 holiday season was covered by the New York Times, CBS News, Essence, GMA, and more. Charlotte is currently a student at the School of American Ballet. Charlotte lives in New Jersey with her parents, brother, and sister. Find her on Instagram at @charlottenebres.

Alea Marley is a children's illustrator living and working in England. Her books include Everybody's Somewhere by Cornelia Spelman, Loretta's Gift by Pat Zietlow Miller, The Many Colours Of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, and A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba. Find Alea online at aleamarley. co. uk, and on Instagram at @aleamarley. com.