The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories
Grade 3-6 These retellings of ;Cinderella,Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Daphnis and Chloe, and Shim Chung: the Blind Man's Daughter include rich details about the plots and characters. A one-page introduction to each tale provides historical perspective, including who wrote it, who composed the music for the ballet, and who performed the main roles in some of the productions. There is also a brief chronology of classical ballet from 1581 to 1986. The authors have captured the drama, excitement, and magic of these stories, making them enjoyable as read-alouds and enlightening for young theatergoers. The mostly full-page, watercolor illustrations are lush and romantic, and beautifully complement the text. Lovely floral designs border the text pages. This well-conceived and colorful look at some of the great classical ballets will enrich library collections and inspire young dancers. Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA --School Library Journal