Reviews by Etta Wilson
I barely know a pas de deux from an arabasque, but I know lots of young girls are taking ballet lessons, going to the ballet whenever they can, and dreaming the dreams fostered by the graceful movements of this dance form. Still I needed some counsel, and a young dancer named Kelly Diehl helped me compile this list. Take a bow, Kelly.
Ballet: Steps, Dancers,
Costumes, Performances, Stories
By Kate Castle
Kingfisher, $14.95
ISBN 0753450011
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Beautifully illustrated in an oversize book, it's packed with information. Includes how ballet began, what's involved in learning, how a ballet is created, getting ready for a performance, tales from famous ballets, and great dancers of modern times. If you can buy only one book, this is it!
The Random House Book of Stories from the Ballet
Retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, illus. by Angela Barrett
Random House, $20.00
ISBN 067987125X
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The moving pathos of ten much-loved ballet stories including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Giselle is retold in clear poetic style for reading. Lovely full-color illustrations appear on each spread, pulling young readers into the dreamy world of ballet.
Noel the First
By Kate and Jim McMullan
HarperCollins, $14.95
ISBN 0062051423
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This picture-book sequel to the McMullans' award-winning Nutcracker Noel (1993) captures the elation that young dancers experience when they are first at the barre, as well as the disappointment of not having that coveted spot. Noel discovers that listening to the music enables her to dance with all her heart.
Dance, Tanya
By Patricia Lee Gauch; illus. by Satomi Ichikawa
Paperstar (Putnam & Grosset), $5.95
ISBN 0698113780
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Little Tanya is too small to take ballet lessons like her older sister, but Tanya puts on her tutu and gives a special surprise recital. A lovely story for little ones.
Lili at Ballet
By Rachel Isadora
Paperstar (Putnam & Grosset), $5.95
ISBN 0698114086
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Young Lili loves to dance. In her ballet class she learns positions, roles, and other practical information required. Isadora's wonderful watercolor and pencil art capture the graceful feel of young bodies dancing.
Another Way to Dance
By Martha Southgate
Delacorte Press, $15.95
ISBN 0385321910
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A well-written middle-grade novel about a young teen dancer who goes to New York to study for a summer. There Vicki faces many aspects of life -- her parents' divorce, a new boyfriend, challenges in class -- and learns to love herself in this honest and compelling story.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.
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