Today, Misty Copeland was promoted to Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theater, making her the first African-American dancer to be so named. Tap and jazz and gymnastics were more my speed, but I did take a few ballet classes myself over the years, and I've always been in awe of the strength and grace of ballet dancers. And of course, I've always been a fan of books about ballet. (And movies. Center Stage, anyone?)
Last year I read Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead and loved it so much, I immediately read it again. (That has never before happened to me!) That and The Crane's Dance by Meg Howrey are adult books, but on the younger side, one of my all-time favorite books is Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfield--I had a well-used copy gifted to me by a grandmother and my twin and I would pass it back and forth, reading it probably half a dozen times each year for several years. Bethany the Ballet Fairy by Daisy Meadows combines two of my favorite things (dance and fairies!), and I can't wait to start reading A Bunny in the Ballet by Robert Beck to my baby girl!
Brittany and Kristen both told me The Silver Slippers by Elizabeth Koda-Callan was one of their favorite books as a kid; Brittany was convinced she would grow up to be a prima ballerina. ("Also, it came with a necklace, which was awesome," she adds.) And no ballet book list is complete without mention of Angelina Ballerina, which Megan G. is passionate about!
And finally, you know I can't write about ballet without mentioning Jessi Ramsay from The Baby-sitters Club! Her skill at ballet is a recurring theme in the series, but if you're looking for just one book to read about Jessi's awesome grand jetes, check out Jessi and the Dance School Phantom (BSC #44).
And, our Kid Reporter recently visited choreographer and ballet star Jacques d’Amboise’s National Dance Institute in Harlem, which provides dance programs for New York City schoolchildren. Check out the video and interview!
What are your favorite books about ballet?
