From pointe shoes and tutus, from pirouettes to pliés, many starry-eyed children dream of spinning across the ballet stage. For those little dreamers, here are ten ballet-themed books that touch upon the highs and lows of this performance art.
Tallulah’s Nutcracker, by Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger
Tallulah has been a favorite in our house for many years. In this holiday installment, Tallulah is thrilled to be cast in a real production of The Nutcracker. She may only be playing the part of the mouse, but Tallulah takes her role, and her preparation, very seriously. Everything is perfect, until opening night when an embarrassing misstep threatens to ruin Tallulah’s ballet dreams. (Ages 4-8)
Firebird, by Misty Copeland and Christopher Myers
For every young ballerina who dares to dream, these are words from Misty Copeland herself, who in 2015 became the first African American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. The lyrical text feels as if Copeland is speaking directly to the reader, reminding aspiring dancers that she was once a beginner, and that with dreams, hard work, and practice, they too can be stars of the stage. This book won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award in 2015. (Ages 4-8)
Flora and the Flamingo, by Molly Idle
This wordless picture book uses interactive flaps and page spreads to create a dance between an unlikely duo. Flora, sporting a swim cap and flippers, is determined to mimic the graceful moves of the flamingo, who is blissfully unaware of Flora’s attentions, until her awkward stumblings become too difficult not to notice. With a little help from the flamingo, Flora finds her dancing legs and the two new friends end in a delightful duet. (Ages 4-8)
José! Born to Dance, by Susanna Reich and Raul Colon
While not strictly a ballet book, this is the biography of José Limón, born in Mexico in 1908. Growing up, José is influenced not only by the theater in which his father worked, but also the Mexican Revolution. When his family is forced to flee to the United States, José continues to work, and dream, and study, ultimately finding his way to New York and a passion for dance that leads to world fame. (Ages 5-8)
A Ballerina Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Kids, by Sarah L. Schuette
For young dancers who are also learning their way around the kitchen, this cookbook is a good place to start. Filled with fun and simple recipes with names like Prima Ballerina and Tutu Toppers, and requiring minimal cooking, it’s the best of both the ballet and culinary worlds. (Ages 6-8)
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova, by Laurel Snyder and Julie Morstad
Minimal, lyrical text and stunning illustrations combine to tell the story of Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova. From her first exposure to ballet at a young age, to her admittance to the Imperial Ballet School, to her signature role, the book portrays Pavlova as an example of grace, beauty and tough-as-nails grit, as well as her passion for sharing ballet with the world. (Ages 6-9)
Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme, by Monica Brown
In this third book in the Lola Levine series, Lola has a new classmate, Bella, who loves all things ballet and pink. Lola hates pink, and knows that ballet can’t be nearly as hard as soccer. The two girls can’t seem to get along, and on the day they both end up in the principal’s office, Lola’s mom comes up with a plan that may teach both girls a thing or two about both soccer and ballet. (Ages 6-10)
The Nutcracker Comes to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition, by Chris Barton and Cathy Gendron
The Nutcracker is an American holiday tradition. Every December, the ballet is performed on big and small stages across the country. Even young children recognize the light and lilting sounds of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” But how did the ballet travel from its birthplace in Russia to the United States? That story belongs to three ballet-adoring brothers, William, Harold and Lew, growing up in Utah at the beginning of the 20th century. From Utah to New York to Russia to San Francisco, it’s a tale about passion, storytelling, and the birth of a holiday tradition. (Ages 8-12)
Ballet Shoes, by Noel Streatfeild and Diane Goode
Based in London, Ballet Shoes follows three adopted sisters, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil. Determined to carry their own weight in their new family, all three attend the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. While the academy may be the ticket to stardom, only Pauline and Posy have dreams of the spotlight. And getting there is a lot of work. Meanwhile, Petrova dreams of a different kind of soaring, but is she brave enough to follow her own vision? First published in 1937, Ballet Shoes is one of those books that can be read over and over again, while never growing old or going out of style. (Ages 8-12)
To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel, by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel
This autobiographical story, illustrated by the author’s husband, dances (pun intended) across the pages, taking the reader on a journey from Puerto Rico to New York, from childhood dreams, to adolescent heartbreak. Filled with memories both beautiful and painful, this graphic novel for older readers doesn’t sugarcoat the reality that comes with becoming a professional dancer, nor does it pretend that every young dreamer makes it to the big stage. Despite those challenges, what comes through strongest is a love and respect for the art. (Ages 8-14)
Which ballet books send your reader into a twirling delight?
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