In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author and former professional dancer Nancy Paris to talk about her charming new middle grade novel, It’s Me, Lily McKee.

Nancy introduces listeners to Lily, an energetic eight-year-old ballet student with a huge imagination, big feelings, and a very literal way of seeing the world. Those traits often land her in trouble—Nancy jokes that Lily has a “frequent flyer pass” to the timeout chair. Lily’s adventures, like making a “mush pie” out of wet toilet paper or hanging upside down from the ballet barre, are rooted in Nancy’s real-life memories as a dancer, teacher, and kid with lots of spirit.

Nancy shares how the pandemic pushed her to find a new creative outlet after retiring from dance and being confined to a tiny New York City apartment. Drawing on decades in the studio, she discovered that her experiences with young dancers—and her own childhood—were rich material for storytelling.

Jed and Nancy also dive into the discipline of dance and how it helps kids develop perseverance, teamwork, and the ability to handle critiques. They explore the almost secret world of choreography, where steps are passed down verbally and through demonstration, often supported now by video but still relying on human guidance.

Nancy gives a sneak peek at the sequel, tentatively titled Lily McKee and the Too Bossy Problem, where Lily tries to blend ballet with kung fu into a wild new style called “ballet foo,” learning important lessons about leadership and listening along the way.