Ballet
"Dance is one of the few arts in which we ourselves are the material, and every dancer becomes the ultimate artist, creating his or her own work."These are the words of Darcey Bussell, a world renowned ballet dancer. She, like so many other little girls before her, started going to ballet lessons when she was a very young. It was only when she was thirteen that she decided that ballet would become her vocation, her career. She had years of work ahead of her before she was able to play that coveted role of Odette in Swan Lake, that glorious mirage of feathers and glitter twirling and flying her way across the stage. For many it is after seeing a performance of one of the great ballets that they become bewitched. The magic of Swan Lake, Beauty and the Beast, Coppelia, Giselle or the Nutcracker, takes hold and they just have to try ballet for themselves. What they soon learn is that ballet is demanding. There are sore muscles and feet, the evening and weekend classes, and there is the practice. Over and over and over ballet dancers practice their positions and figures. All in all, only a small number of young men and women have the staying power to emerge fully fledged dancers, strong in body and disciplined to rehearse for hours for performances.
Below you will find a selection of books which takes the reader into the world of ballet and into the hearts of those who aspire to be ballet dancers. You will discover wonderful stories about young people who face all sorts of difficulties, real and imagined, and who persevere to overcome these difficulties. Each in their own special way succeeds and finds their place in the world wearing their ballet shoes. There is Tanya, a little girl who is determined to be a dancer even when she is a very little girl indeed. Tanya's beautifully illustrated stories leave one with a warm feeling inside and a sudden urge to go and see a ballet performance. There are also the delightful and detailed picture books about a little mouse called Angelina who lives and breaths ballet. In "Dancing in the Wings" a girl has to overcome her own fears and the teasing of others, continuing her practicing in the hope that her had work pays off, and it does.
There is also a good selection of non-fiction books about ballet. Many of these will serve as excellent guides for newcomers to ballet and youngsters who plan to join a class soon. In addition these books are wonderfully entertaining and interesting, packed with facts, beautiful illustrations, and bright photographs. We can read the words of famous dancers and learn about their lives and their careers.
Often inspiring and uplifting, these books offer a glimpse into a glittering world where a girl can turn into a swan at dawn, where magic can happen and dreams do come true. You will find many other books about ballet in our database.
Reviews
Angelina Has the Hiccups!
Katharine Holabird
Based on the illustrations by Helen Craig
Angelina loves to dance and she and her friend Alice attend ballet school. They have a big recital coming up and have been practicing very hard. In this ballet they are flower princesses and her cousin Henry is going to be the dragon. The costumes are lovely and the two girls just love practicing. The day of the performance Angelina is so excited that she gets a bad case of hiccups. Yipes, what is this budding ballerina going to do. Everyone offers their favorite remedy for getting rid of the hiccups--holding her breath, eating a spoonful of sugar, blowing into a paper bag--but nothing works. The final solution is provided by her friends Henry and Alice and the ballet performance is a roaring success. The illustrations are delightful and fans of the other Angelina stories will enjoy this one as well. 2006, Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin, $3.99. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-448-44389-9
ISBN: 978-0-448-44389-8
Angelina and the Princess
Katharine Holabird
Illustrations by Helen Craig
Holabird and Craig have made a career out of their Angelina Ballerina franchise. Their dancing mouse has a generation of sequels, her own animated TV show--and now, the reissuing begins. But it is hard to carp about a mouse who has probably kept untold junior ballet schools in business over the years. Especially such a charming young mouse starring in a book with such a tantalizingly sparkly cover. To recap the plot: Angelina flubs her audition for a leading role in "The Dance of the Flower Fairies." She never wants to go to ballet school again. Mother mouse convinces her otherwise, and Angelina settles for a lesser role in the royal performance. When the big day comes, the lead ballerina sprains her ankle... It's 42nd Street for mice, true, but little girls love happy endings as much as most grownups do. 2006 (orig. 1984), Viking/Penguin, $12.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-670-06085-2
ISBN: 978-0-670-06085-6
Ballerina Dreams
Lauren Thompson
Illustrated by James Estrin
Five little girls with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities share the dream of becoming ballerinas. With their powerful determination and the help of several committed teachers, these little girls get the chance to realize their dreams. A true story illustrated with beautiful photographs taken by James Estrin, the book follows five real little girls named Abbey, Monica, Nicole, Shekinah, and Veronica from ballet class to recital, where they show that working hard has helped them to become ballerinas in spite of their physical disabilities. The technical ballet terms and detailed descriptions of what the girls do in practice and performance are sure to please any child who loves ballet, while remaining appropriate for young readers. The plentiful photographs capture the personalities of the girls, making it possible for even a very young child to follow. This touching story would be a useful resource in an early childhood educational setting as an example of individuals with different abilities or disabilities, and its message of determination in the face of adversity is one that parents and educators of children of all ages would find useful. 2007, Feiwel & Friends/Holtzbrinck Publishers, Ages 4 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Carly Reagan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-312-37029-9
ISBN: 0-312-37029-6
Ballerino Nate
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Pictures by R. W. Alley
Three cheers for this challenge to stereotypes! When Nate's class goes to the ballet he is enchanted, despite his brother's sneers. All summer he dances and learns what he can about ballet. "Boys can't be ballerinas," says his brother. He even warns Nate that he'll have to wear pink shoes and dresses. Despite his dad's reassurance, Nate is still apprehensive when he begins ballet classes. He loves the teacher and the classes, but the other students are, in fact, girls. When he attends a real ballet, however, he sees that half the dancers are men. Then he meets one of the dancers, who agrees that a man can't be a ballerina, because that means "woman dancer." Instead, he tells Nate that he is a dancer hoping some day to be a top ballerino. Nate is satisfied with his role at last. Alley's pen-and-ink, watercolor, and "a few colored pencil(s)" illustrations depict Nate's story honestly but always positively. Perhaps his cast of anthropomorphic canines makes the notion of a male dancer easier to absorb, but we can quickly translate the actors into humans because all the actions and settings are so human. Details add to the realism; the humor tempers the serious message. Even the endpapers show Nate in the five classic ballet positions alongside comparable sports actions. 2006, Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Mockingbird Award, 2006-2007; Nominee; Texas
ISBN: 0-8037-2954-5
ISBN: 978-0-8037-2954-4
Ballet Kitty
Bernette Ford
Illustrations by Sam Williams
Ballet Kitty is getting ready for her friend Princess Pussycat to come over and play. She wants to wear her ballet clothes, but cannot find her ballet slippers. When Princess Pussycat comes over, the two felines have a day of fun and Ballet Kitty finds out that she can still do perfect pirouettes and curtsies, even without her ballet slippers. The incredibly simple story lacks plot or interesting characters, appealing only at a most basic level to the average little girl who loves to play dress up. The illustrations are also simple but attract more attention than the story itself, with muted watercolor paintings that maintain the book's sweet and gentle feel, but they aren't enough to liven up this story. An educator's use of the book in the classroom would take quite a bit of imagination, best used perhaps in early childhood classrooms to teach the color pink (the most prominent color in the illustrations), or as a practice book for early readers in first or second grade. With such a wide variety of beginning reader books on the market, however, there are many more to choose from. Recommended is the "Green Light Readers" series, a collection of early level reading books that have simple words along with interesting plots and humor to boot. 2007, Boxer Books Limited, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Carly Reagan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-905417-56-8
ISBN: 1-905417-56-X
Ballet of the Elephants
Leda Schubert
Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker
The arrival of the circus is always an exciting event, but in April 1942 there began a series of extraordinary performances, 425 to be exact, that included a most unusual ballet. With music by Igor Stravinsky, choreographed by George Balanchine, fifty elephants in tutus were trained to dance a ballet with fifty ballerinas. Schubert offers background information on the famous characters responsible for the incredible show: Balanchine, Stravinsky, and the head of the circus, John Ringling North. Parker's interpretation of this fantasy brought to life is projected with impressionistic verve. His ink line drawings have an electric current in them; his watercolors refuse to remain inside their contours. He can create a purple silhouette of Russian church towers as well as more detailed visions of artists and dancers. The climactic fold-out of the dancing elephants and ballerinas adds to the special qualities of both text and illustrations. 2006, A Deborah Brodie Book/Roaring Brook Press, $17.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books, 2006; Kirkus; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education; Outstanding Merit; United States
Children's Books 2006: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2006; New York Public Library; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
Choices, 2007; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Horn Book Fanfare, 2006; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, March 15, 2006; United States
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2007-2008; Texas Library Association; Master List; Texas
ISBN: 1-59643-075-3
ISBN: 978-1-59643-075-4
Ballet Sisters: The Duckling and the Swan
Jan Ormerod
It is hard to be the younger sister-older sisters especially can be so bossy (yes, I am guilty). In this early reader, Sylvie is the younger sister. Her older sister loves to dance and when they play games, Sylvie ends up being something less than her sister. She balks at being an elf but enjoys being a duck. Sylvie copies her big sister as she gets ready for her ballet lesson and stays outside the dance studio while the lesson is underway. It is amusing to watch Sylvie who dances her own way to the music, quacking, waddling and flapping just like a duckling. There is plenty of sibling caring in this early reader, and it is particularly nice to see the older sister's compassion when Sylvie cuts her hair--and her creative solution. 2007, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 4 to 7, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-82281-7
ISBN: 0-439-82281-5
Because...
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
Let there be no mistake, this is an "ode to joy." Mrs. Duncan's red-headed grandson is dismayed at his grandma's antics. On Monday while out for a walk she actually leaps over a neighbor's head, while her grandson asks the reader "See what I mean?" He has already described how embarrassing she is as she goes leaping and cavorting about in their daily life. As the days of the week progress (nice teachable moment here), she manages to avoid answering the questions of her grandson and those who populate the neighborhood. The dog asks, "Why are you rolling over, Mrs. Duncan?" Grandson asks, "Why are you flapping like a butterfly?" To all she just answers, "Because . . ." But by Sunday she has a group of admirers following her as she prances past the mounted police officer and springs into the sky flying. The cat asks, "Why?" and the answer covers the last two-page spread: "Because . . . I-am-a-dancer!" The authors have encapsulated their philosophy of expressing oneself through the arts in this joyous distillation of Grandma Duncan's delight in dance. One need not be svelte or considered beautiful to express without hesitation the joy of life through the arts--dancing, writing, painting, etc. Radunsky's paintings of the characters are the absolute focus of each page as the background is completely uncluttered (mostly pure white backgrounds, one black page--it is night after all--and a couple with soft wash-like colors). But even with lots of white space, there is no lack of color or motion. The illustrations propel the text right through the ballet-like leaps, the swing steps of the 40s, the hip-hop-bee-bop of the street dancers, and the prancing leaps that send them flying into the sky. This introduction to the joy of expression will be a great read aloud to a group to elicit the practice of one's own brand of dancing, or to share with a little one as a prelude to taking a walk through the neighborhood and finding moments to celebrate with a quick "step or two." 2007, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, $16.99. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Kirkus Book Review Stars, May 1, 2007; United States
ISBN: 978-0-689-87582-3
ISBN: 0-689-87582-7
The Melting Season
Celeste Conway
Frozen by her childhood memories of a father who died of cancer when she was 6, Giselle, a talented ballet student and daughter of famous dancers, falls for a green-eyed boy in a suburban garden shop. His sympathetic understanding helps her make changes in her own life, unlock the memories of her father's difficult last years, and move on toward adulthood. Woven into this gentle story of first love are plenty of details about a dancer's days, plus an interesting glimpse into a very sophisticated New York world. Giselle lives in an apartment overlooking Central Park big enough to have rooms she won't enter because of their connection to her father. She attends a private high school for professional young people, interestingly contrasted with the large suburban school she visits at Will's invitation. She is compulsively neat about her possessions and has never spent a night away from home. Appropriately for a story told by a dancer, there is a great emphasis on appearances; but the reader, like Giselle, comes to understand that both appearances and memories can hide a deeper reality. High school readers with an interest in ballet will be attracted by the cover, but will find much more to think about within. 2006, Delacorte Press/Random House, $15.95. Ages 12 to 16. Reviewer: Kathleen Isaacs (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Booklist Book Review Stars, Nov. 15, 2006; United States
Teen Books, 2006; Bank Street College of Education; United States
ISBN: 0-385-73339-9
ISBN: 0-385-90357-X
ISBN: 978-0-385-73339-7
ISBN: 978-0-385-90357-8
Dancing Larry
Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrated by Jill Pinkwater
Larry the Polar Bear from the Far North is back! Well, he never actually left his adopted home of Bayonne, New Jersey. And why should he, cosseted as he is at the Hotel Larry by his bear-loving patrons, the Frobishers. When he is not performing lifeguard duties at the hotel pool, or visiting his brother Roy at the Bayonne Zoo, or eating blueberry muffins, Larry keeps an eye on young Mildred Frobisher. It is in the course of these chaperoning services--suitably disguised in long coat, hat, and sunglasses not unlike a certain giant Hoboken chicken--that Larry observes Mildred's dance class and is smitten. Was not dance in his very fur and sinews? Dance mistress Madame Swoboda, however, is not impressed. Evicted from class, Larry decides to create and perform his own ballet, one for polar bears. And therein lies the story. Daniel Pinkwater's furry tale is as tongue-in-cheek as usual, and Jill Pinkwater's bright and bold pen-and-ink and colored-marker illustrations swoosh across the pages with choreographic aplomb. Having assayed the arts of music (Bongo Larry) and dance, one can only guess what this multi-talented polar bear will next address. 2006, Marshall Cavendish, $16.95. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5220-1
ISBN: 0-7614-5220-6
Rufus the Scrub Does Not Wear a Tutu
Jamie Mcewan
Illustrated by John Margeson
Rufus is the biggest eight-year old on the Bears football team, and his size makes him awkward and clumsy. He really wants to help Coach Stone take the team to the championship. To help with coordination, he takes ballet lessons and suffers the slings and arrows that follow when his secret gets out. Lifting little girls builds upper body strength, and the skill to pirouette comes in handy in the last seconds of the final game. Gracefully moving and easily lifting the Falcons fullback out of his way, Rufus leads his team to a 20 to 14 victory. This slight but breezy sports story will appeal to emerging and reluctant readers. The simple structure, large font, and well-spaced sentences will appeal to their skill level. Characters are one-dimensional with the stereotypical awkward kid, bully, overwrought coach, and sweet little girls. All this aside, it is a good supplemental resource for quick action sports stories. 2007, Darby Creek, $14.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
This easy to read book is humorous, points out lessons without being preachy, and tells a good tale. It is from the fast-paced "Scrubs" series and allows young readers to be successful. The simple story is about Rufus and his friends who play football but, as scrubs, usually sit on the bench. They are not exactly the hardest hitting and fastest players. But they have a coach who is out to win and the whole team knows it. Rufus is pretty clumsy, so his mom signs him up for ballet, and he is willing to try it because it might help him to be less awkward. It is only when he has to leave football practice early to get to the ballet class that the coach gives him a hard time. Throughout the tale, Rufus sticks to his ground and is not intimidated because of the ballet issue. He proves to be a hit in ballet class and meets the coach's daughter there. In the end, his ballet skills pay off for football, too. This book offers an excellent way for those kids who are not the greatest at a sport to still see that they can be successful and contribute to a team. The easy-reader, paired with a sport topic will be picked up often from classroom shelves and libraries. 2007, Darby Creek Publishing, $20.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-58196-060-3
ISBN: 978-1-58196-060-0
Belinda and the Glass Slipper
Amy Young
Belinda the ballerina is back in her third book. She is auditioning for the Grand Metropolitan Ballet's upcoming production of Cinderella. Her competition for the leading part, Lola Mudge, expects to be selected because she has such small feet. Belinda's huge feet just do not qualify. The maestro, however, subjects the girls to a complete tryout. Belinda leaps higher, spins faster, and is more graceful than Lola. Banished to a supporting role, Lola sets out to make everyone miserable throughout the weeks of practice. Then on opening night, Lola steals Belinda's glass slippers (made of cloth with sparkles on them) and locks her in a closet. Lola lies to the maestro and stuffs the large ballet shoes with cotton so they will stay on her feet. Fortunately, the show's fairy godmother hears Belinda's screams and releases her from the closet. Belinda steps on stage just as the ball is getting started. Lola dashes over to dance with the prince. As she leaps and spins, the stuffing slips from the shoes. When the prince looks for the owner of the lost slipper, he, of course, finds Belinda. Lola tries to butt in, but Belinda out-dances her beautifully. The audience is dazzled and the ballet is a great success. Lola gives up ballet and becomes a hockey player. The colorful, active pictures feature Belinda as tall, thin, and supple with huge feet. Lola is petite with tiny feet. A parody of the traditional Cinderella tale, the contrast is obvious, as is the message about mean-spirited people getting what they deserve. 2006, Viking, $15.99. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007; H.W. Wilson; United States
ISBN: 0-670-06082-8
ISBN: 978-0-670-06082-5
Evelyn Cisneros: Prima Ballerina
Katherine Krohn
Born into a musical family, Cisneros discovered her love of ballet when she was seven years old. At the age of thirteen, she made her momentous decision to become a professional dancer; she devoted her life to that goal from that point on. She was only sixteen when she left her California home to attend the School of American Ballet in New York City for two semesters. Then she began her internship with the San Francisco Ballet. She remained with the San Francisco Ballet for twenty-three years, receiving accolades for her starring roles in major productions, such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Lambarena, and La Fille mal Gardee. Many photographs in both color and black-and- white feature the highlights of Cisneros' childhood, career, and present life. The story of this remarkable woman's life is told in short, direct sentences using controlled vocabulary, making this book accessible to young and/or struggling readers. Reference aids include a table of contents, fast facts, a time line, a glossary, a list of internet sites, a bibliography, and an index. "Fact Finders Biographies: Great Hispanics" series. 2006, Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-6416-4
ISBN: 978-0-7368-6416-9
To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel
Siena Cherson Siegel
Illustrated by Mark Siegel
"Big, empty spaces always made me dance. A long hallway or a parking lot just begged for dance . . . like it wanted to be filled . . . and I wanted to put dance in it." This book is the story of every little girl who ever longed to put on a pair of pointe shoes. From the time Siena was six and her mother casually mentioned the possibility of dance, ballet slowly began to be the most important thing in her life. To realize her dance dreams, her family moved from Puerto Rico to New York City, where Siena was accepted as a student in the School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet's training ground. She studied there until she was eighteen, and a serious ankle injury helped her decide to head to college instead of to a career as a professional ballerina. A beautifully written memoir, this book is also a stunningly well-illustrated graphic novel. The soft yet detailed pictures perfectly complement the carefully chosen words. The story is real, with both the good and bad points of a life dedicated to ballet clearly illuminated. Although the publisher is marketing it as a title for ages eight to twelve, it is much more an all-ages book. Younger middle school students will enjoy the glimpse into a specific time in the life of both a dancer and of the New York City Ballet, and older balletomanes will appreciate the opportunity to reminisce with Siegel. It is a highly recommended purchase for all libraries. VOYA CODES: 5Q 3P M J S G (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Graphic Novel Format). 2006, Richard Jackson Books/Atheneum/S & S, 64p., $17.95 and $9.99 Trade pb. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Snow Wildsmith (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1)).
Best Books:
Best Books of the Year, 2006; Publishers Weekly; United States
Best Books of the Year, 2006; School Library Journal; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars, Sep. 1, 2006; United States
Children's Books 2006: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2006; New York Public Library; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2007; YALSA; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 1, 2006; United States
Notable Children's Book, 2007; ALSC American Library Association; United States
Notable Children's Books in the English Language Arts, 2007; Children's Literature Assembly
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 2, 2006; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2006; Cahners; United States
Top 10 Art Books for Youth, 2006; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Top 10 Women's History Books for Youth, 2007; Booklist; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Cybils Finalist 2006 Graphic Novels Ages 12 and Under United States
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Honor Book 2007 United States
ISBN: 978-0-689-86747-7
ISBN: 978-1-4169-2687-0
ISBN: 0-689-86747-6
ISBN: 1-4169-2687-9
For Ballet book reviews from a previous year follow click here.
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Updated 9/21/07
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