My daughter discovered dance at any early age. When she isn't practicing her dance "moves", she loves to read about ballerinas and ballerina stories. I imagine there are countless other younger dancers who are the same and happily for them, the past year has seen a significant number of books added the growing number of stories for children who love to dance.
Three are new versions of old classics. Vilette Verdy's Of Swans, Sugarplums, and Satin Slippers: Ballet Stories for Children is for older dancers and ballet-goers. Ms. Verdy, many years a ballerina and currently a Teaching Associate for the New York City Ballet, has retold in a fairy-tale tone six stories including The Firebird, Giselle and Coppelia. Each re-telling is preceeded with a recounting of her personal feelings about the ballet and occasionally interesting stories about people who have danced the roles. Caldecott-winning illustrator Marcia Brown accompanies each story with soft pictures that are full of movement. Ages 5-12. (Scholastic, 1991)
For even older ballerinas, or aspiring ballerina's is the reissue of Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes. First published in 1937, the story tells of three orphans who enter the world of footlights and find their own gifts. The fifty-four year old classic is brought into the nineties with the soft black and white illustrations of Caldecott-winning Diane Goode. Ages 12 and up. (Random House, 1991)
Another classic makes a children's appearance with a recent release of writer-illustrator-dancer Racehel Isadora's Swan Lake. Beautifully illustrated with careful detailing, the pictures weaves fairy tale and dance together in in a soft re-telling that is most appropriate for young dancers. Ages 4-7. (Putnam, 1991)
Very young dancers and dancers-to-be have a book to share in the counting book, One Ballerina Two by Vivian French. It is Jan Ormerod's illustrations that really make the book lively as the leotarded graceful big sister and her small dishevled sibling count down from ten plies (or 9 knee bends) to one warm hug. Changements, pirouettes, pas de chat are all demonstrated as well as the warmth of relationship between two girls who both love the spirit of dance. Ages 3-6. (Lothrop, 1991)
Three new tales join dance stories. For younger listeners is Justine Rendal's The Dancing Cat. This cat may be a dancer at heart, but she is dressed in fierce mask and purchased by a rough little girl who is proud only of her cats who fight. The cat is rescued by the child's gentle cousin, Ben, who sees immediately that she is a dancing cat. He gives her a Russian ballet name, costumes her and surrounds her with his toys who support her graceful dancing. The message of living who one really is and the appearance of a nurturing boy are both dimensionalizing elements of this story. Ages 4-8. (Simon and Schuster, 1991)
It isn't only young ballerinas that adore the dancing heroine, Angelina by Katherine Holabird with dainty illustrations by Helen Craig. This year appears the eight in the series, Angelina's Baby Sister which will undoubtable comfort countless big sisters. Though Angelina is eagerly awaiting her sister's arrival, the actual presence brings sadness, confusion, loneliness, and finally a huge temper tantrum that leads her to break a treasured dancing prize. This finally brings Angelina's family awareness of how they have been ignoring her and they spoil her with attention and treats. Angelina dances again, delights her new sister and promises that she will one day teach the baby to dance. Ages 3-6. (Crown, 1991)
For a slightly older reader is Audrey Chevance's picture book, Tutu. It is the story of Isabelle Warren who is dancing with the professional ballet and is fitted for the first time with her first professional tutu. The fitting is a time of ups and downs. The thrill of wearing a brand new costume, of feeling special and then suddenly feeling unimportant in comparison to an older ballerina trying on her stiff, seven-layered netted Sugar Plum Fairy tutu. Like the layers of tutu, feeling tones, information about a dancer's world, and the specialness of costuming that contributes to a dancer's expression. Ages 5-9. (Dutton, 1991)
On Their Toes: A Russian Ballet School by Ann Morris and photojournalist Ken Heyman is a backstage look at the Vaganova Choreographic Institute which trains young dancers for the Kirov Ballet. The non-fiction book documents the dedication of these children ten and up by allowing us to view their day and a bit of their home lives. From warm up classes to academics to music to little bits of amusement to performance, the children's expressive faces are lit with joy and determination. Ages 8-12. (Atheneum, 1991)
Black Dance in America: A History Through Its People by James Haskins is incredibly complete. Haskin's discussion of American Black dance begins with African traditions carried to America on slave ships during "exercise periods" and extends all the way through eras of dance on slave plantations, minstrelsy, Harlem's jazz dancing, concert dance, modern dance and current dancing. Dance comes alive through Haskin's biographies of dancers like Dora Dean, Katherine Dunham, and Alvin Ailey. Rock and Roll, Jazz Harlem, the early Follies and their place in history are also highlighted by Black Dance. There are joyous moments in history where dancers break through prejudice and profoundly influence dance in America. (HarperCollins, 1990)