Product Description
From adagio to voyage, over 800 steps, movements, poses, and concepts are fully defined. A pronunciation guide and cross-references to alternate names for similar steps and positions that vary from the Russian to the French or Italian schools are also invaluable aids. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

delightful dictionary
This small but packed dictionary is a delight.As an adult ballet beginner in a class that is geared to more advanced students, I've already recouped its cost in the few weeks I've had it.I'll be referring to it to clarify fine points for years to come.And although I don't expect to need many of the entries, they are fun to read and puzzle over.

A Dancers Must Have Book
As a young dancer my Mom bought this book to help further my understanding of ballet. This book proved to be the most valuable dance book I have ever bought or received. From being a professional dancer to studio manager, I have used this book every step of the way. In fact, this is my second one. I fully recommend this book to all ballet enthusiast interested in learning or improving their terminology.

Wonderful, timeless book of info.
This book is a wonderful book for any dancer. I purchased this book for my daughter who is a dancer and it is full of the correct info that she need for her baller classes. It's a timeless book full of info for any aspiring dancer. Highly recommended.

Essential Buy!
I am a professional dancer and ballet teacher. I adore this book for its clear and concise definitions of ballet terminology and technique. It is an essential resource for any teacher, student or ballet enthusiast. Its compact design makes it perfect for quick and easy reference. I definitely recommend it!

Great resource for students and teachers
This is an excellent and informative book, with clear definitions and pronunciation guides for the French, Italian, and Russian methods of ballet.It even "translates" names of steps from one method to the others!

The one drawback I can see is that this will probably not be as good a resource for someone who is not already familiar with the basic steps of ballet.The illustrations are helpful, but it would be impossible to illustrate all the steps and still have the book be easily portable; as a result, the reader must rely on his/her own ability to envision the steps described. ... Read more

Product Description
IT'S SEPTEMBER, AND it’s time for school—ballet school! Join a class of the youngest ballet students as they learn about music, balance, teamwork, and even have a recital. A perfect first ballet book.

Praise for Jane Feldman’s I Am A Dancer:

“An attractive, up-to-date photo essay that will appeal to budding dancers. . . .”—School Library Journal ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Book Great, Condition Poor
We love the book, but it arrived in the mail as is without an envelope. So, if it was in good condition before we received it we would not know. It came to our doorstep stained and crumpled.

Adorable Book
I bought this for my 3 yr old who just started ballet. I bought on the recommendations of other Amazon buyers and I agree; it is a great book for you child.

Instant favorite for my new ballerina
I bought this after my 3 year old's first ballet lesson and she just loves this book.We read it every night, although I just give her the gist of the story instead of reading all the words because she likes to talk about what she sees and ask questions on each page, too. She likes to point out each girl that has a pink or blue leotard just like hers, and find which one is Ursala on every page, etc.I think it has helped her understand what her teacher is asking them to do, as well.I can help her position her arms and legs like the girls in the picture until she can do it by herself, whereas the teacher doesn't really walk around and do that in her class.The girls' tutu's on the cover and back of the book are textured, she likes to touch them, and it helps her understand the recital outfits are special.

This is a wonderful book
I've read this book to my niece who dances ballet and it's truly wonderful.She also loves the ballet DVD, Caterina & Her Baby Ballerinas which is also available on Amazon.Caterina & Her Baby Ballerinas

So sweet!
My 6 yr old loves this book, and it's been a favorite book on her nightstand for a little while now. She loves ballet, and this book is perfect for her. In this book, a little girl who loves ballet goes to ballet class for the first time, and she learns all about music and balance, and gets to shop for ballet slippers for the first time, and even puts on her first ballet recital! It is very sweet and very appropriate for little dancers. I've given it as a baby gift to some of my friends because the photos are engaging and the story is fun to read out loud. I've heard that their babies liked it! So I think this book is good for as young as infants to as old as 6 yrs old. ... Read more

Product Description
In the tradition of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Little Princess come Noel Streatfeild’s tales of triumph. In this story, three orphan girls vow to make a name for themselves and find their own special talents. With hard work,
fame just may be in the stars! Originally published in 1937.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (69)

you can't beat a classic
Noel Streatfeild is a great author and this is among her best.Great characters and story line and it really transports you to the time and location where it takes place.

Grateful
I am happy with this book and the timely service in its delivery.
Thank you.
Diane

NEW!
I was looking for only hard cover editions of Noel Streatfeild books, but this new book is very disappointing.Now I am looking for older, possibly Library editions in hard cover. Linda

Hannah (my daughter 9 years old review)
When Gum (Great Uncle Matthew) finds 3 orphans and gives them to his great niece they make a vow to put fossil in the history book.This book is good because of all their adventures they have. For example, Pauline is an actress in Alice in Wonderland, Richard the Third, and Midsummers Night Dream, at the end she has an amazing reputation.This book was a page turner.It took me only 6 days to read this 233 page book. You should buy this book because of the changes that happen in the three girls life.

Donney Auearkel (aka dAnCeRpIg)
Nana and Sylvia's lives are about to change. G.U.M. (Great Uncle Matt) has arrived home from one of his adventures out at sea. He ends up in the hospital where he meets Petrova's dad who is very ill; sadly he passes away and G.U.M. adopts Petrova. The youngest child, Posy, shares a similar story with Petrova. When Posy's father became very ill and soon passes away, he left her mother, a dancer, to poor to keep Posy; making Posy the third and last of the great souvenirs of one of G.U.M.'s adventures.
Growing up in France in the 1920's made life very hard to survive, especially when you're a lady, and the man of the house is out on another one of his little adventures.
Ballet Shoes is the perfect book for any dancer or actress who enjoys her art and Old English language. I swear as if I lost myself in one of Shakespeare's wonderful plays; instead I was reading some of Noel Streatfield's fantastic books! I can't wait to read the rest of the "Shoes" series! I love the book so much, I felt as if I was Posy, or Petrova, or even Pauline! Well, until I had to put the book down and go to bed.
Go ahead and jump on the roller coaster of adventure by reading Ballet Shoes!
... Read more

Product Description
New York City Ballet Workout is a revolutionary fitness program that will help you begin to develop lean abs, firm buttocks, a contoured waist, sculpted legs, slim thighs, strong arms, perfect posture, flexbility you never thought possible--and grace and poice of a dancer. More than three hundred stunning step-by-step and other photographs throughout make this the most beautiful and easy-to-use exercise book ever created.This elegant book is unlike any exercise book ever published. Graced with more than 300 instructional exercise photographs and extraordinary duotone portraits of New York City Ballet dancers, The New York City Ballet Workout explores the company's philosophy of balancing art, life, and fitness.

By combining elements of New York City Ballet's balletic regimen with practical strength-building exercises, The New York City Ballet Workout can help people achieve a strong, graceful, and flexible body--one that displays the impeccable poise that is the trademark of New York City Ballet dancers.

Many exercises of The New York City Ballet Workout were once confined to the world's elite rehearsal studios. Now, as refined by Peter Martins and his company, these exercises have been designed as a comprehensive, holistic approach to the body that can be used by anyone from the out-of-shape to the serious athlete, to attain a lean, hard, beautiful body. From flexibility to endurance, this is a complete exercise program for men and women.Amazon.com Review
Dancers get their beautiful bodies by dancing, right? Well,there's more to it than that. They also do specific exercises andstretches to build their strength and keep their magnificent physiquesinjury-free. This book offers 50 of those exercises, ranging fromroutine abdominal movements to "center exercises" (which developcoordination and stability) to advanced leg movements (which, ofcourse, give you legs like a dancer). The book even offers suggestionsfor music to play while you follow the training tips. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (78)

It won't make you a dancer, but it WILL give you the bod!
Tired of the jarring and sore joints of the typical American workout, I bought this book.What is more beautiful and fit than a ballet dancer's body?I am not disappointed! Trying the exercises on the first day I had it, I broke a sweat in no time at all, and was sore in places I didn't know I had, but it wasn't like soreness I've had with weight work or other routines where I could barely move the next day.This works!! Already, after 2 weeks, I have some amazing definition in my thighs, which are not bulking but actually slimming down (Yay for that - I hated bulging thighs - leave those for the muscleistas) My goal was to be long and lean, and this is DEFINITELY the workout for that.It is specific about extending the muscles/body parts being worked on, rather than just achieving a static stretch, which gives the exercises a range that isn't available in other workouts. My next purchase will be the DVD, as there are some vague areas in the book. Beautiful, beautiful!! Thanks, Peter Martins and the wonderful dancers of NYC Ballet Co!!! One suggestion: buy a good diet-for-dancers book to use with this if you are sincere about having a dancer's bod and energy!!

Good for Non-Dancers Too!
My body has never become anything like the ones featured in New York City Ballet Workout: Fifty Stretches And Exercises Anyone Can Do For A Strong, Graceful, And Sculpted Body. However, what a joy to see them moving about, and to think that these exercises might get you a tiny bit closer to them!

I am not a dancer, know hardly anything about it, and am pretty uncoordinated. I don't know if I am doing any of the movements correctly, but the directions are easy to follow. The exercises are also pretty enjoyable.

One of the most striking things about this book is the photography. The images (not to mention the people featured) are gorgeous. This really sets the standard for quality, and I hope that the authors of other exercise books will take some cues from it.

Great Workout
I enjoyed this workout. I discovered muscles I didn't know I had. The pictures of dancers were also inspiring.

Beats Boredom
I love picking up this book and doing the workouts when it comes to boredom. Great descriptions of the workouts!

Excellent Book! Been Using It for 10 years!
I have been using exercises from this book for over ten years and it really works on top of cardio-based excercise, as i do such as swimming and fast walking in the hills. I am 42 and have essentially the same body as when I was 18 - though more toned. I attribute it to this book along with good diet and the cardio I have always done since I was a kid. I have been using the book from memory since I loaned it out many years ago, but just ordered a used copy so I can learn more exercises - I only learned about half. Definitely good for toning! I do them every other day, day in day out. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete 8-year curriculum of Lenningrad's famed Vaganova Choreographic School, which trained Nureyev, Baryshnikov and Markova, including over 100 photographs. A volume which no teacher, scholar or student of the dance can afford to miss. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Thank you
Quick service and just what I was looking for historically and for class.
Thank you.

100 Lessons of Classical Ballet
Love it! Beautiful classical technical lessons for ballet class. Very helpful to anyone wanting to use the vaganova method for ballet.

100 Lessons
100 lessons in Classical Ballet is an excellent book and belongs in the library of every dancer.

The bible for teaching from beginners to advanced dancers.
I've taught ballet for nearly 30 years to all kinds of students and the one thing that I'm always attempting to do is to distill my teaching methods to create the best dancers possible - in other words carry on the best and purest tradition of training I can.This book contains this kind of information. I consider it the Holy-Grail of teaching ballet. Your serious students will love it and you will gain and enormous amount of theory and understanding of ballet by incorporating it into your teaching. If you only have one book on teaching, this is the book.

Excellent resource
If you are a ballet teacher, and aren't able to take master classes very often, this is a good book for you. The lessons sparked new choreography for me, and provided a different perspective to age/skill set; however, the lessons were also developed by a man whose job was to train ballet students to be professionals (age/skill set obviously varies when kids are studying ballet recreationally or for the joy of learning ballet). This book provides an opportunity to expand an adagio, petite allegro, or barre work. ... Read more

Product Description

The Ballet Companion is a fresh, comprehensive, and thoroughly up-to-date reference book for the dancer. With 150 stunning photographs of ballet stars Maria Riccetto and Benjamin Millepied demonstrating perfect execution of positions and steps, this elegant volume brims with everything today's dance student needs, including:

• Practical advice for getting started, such as selecting a school, making the most of class, and studio etiquette

• Explanations of ballet fundamentals and major training systems

• An illustrated guide through ballet class -- warm-up, barre, and center floor

• Guidelines for safe, healthy dancing through a sensible diet, injury prevention, and cross-training with yoga and Pilates

• Descriptions of must-see ballets and glossaries of dance, music, and theater terms

Along the way you'll find technique secrets from stars of American Ballet Theatre, lavishly illustrated sidebars on ballet history, and tips on everything from styling a ballet bun to stage makeup to performing the perfect pirouette.

Whether a budding ballerina, serious student, or adult returning to ballet, dancers will find a lively mix of ballet's time-honored traditions and essential new information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Love It
This book is definately very helpful in providing an array of information from what things to consider when selecting a ballet school to explanations of various positions and movements...definately my new Ballet Bible!

Kindle edition omits all illustrations
The Kindle edition does not include any illustrations or charts.Some of these omitted pictures are not missed but some are important to see positions and movements and they are referred to in the text.This good book is not so good on the Kindle.

Must Read for All Ballerinas
I purchased this book as a new dancer, looking to have tips and pointers that many of the students had learned after years of practice and, mainly, just a glossary of the ballet terms and their meaning. I ended up purchasing three books, this being the best book by far. This book included much helpful information from a historical perspective, quick tips, and further information on ballet whether you are an aspiring dancer or just a viewer. This makes the perfect gift for the young and old girl/boy who is interested in the dance world.

For reference: It is about 8 by 9.5 inches, very beautiful thick silk pages, has a ballet pink ribbon for a bookmark. Perfect gift that could pass off as collector's edition.

Extremely comprehensive
This book is perhaps the most comprehensive ballet guide out there. It discusses everything you could ever want to know about ballet. I bought it for my daughter who is a beginner pointe student, but I'm reading it just as much as her (or maybe even more) because it's such a helpful reference guide for parents. I especially appreciate the information on nutrition and dancer health. My daughter likes the photographs of the professional dancers demonstrating the basic ballet positions and steps. She also likes the ballet glossary. If your daughter is serious about ballet or just thinking about taking pointe class for the first time, this book is a must-have. I also highly recommend the Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet for more ballet definitions and terminology.

A Wonderful Book!
I really like this book. I would recommend to any ballet lover. It has a lot of nice pictures and tips. ... Read more

Product Description
For more than four hundred years, the art of ballet has stood at the center of Western civilization. Its traditions serve as a record of our past. A ballerina dancing The Sleeping Beauty today is a link in a long chain of dancers stretching back to sixteenth-century Italy and France: Her graceful movements recall a lost world of courts, kings, and aristocracy, but her steps and gestures are also marked by the dramatic changes in dance and culture that followed. Ballet has been shaped by the Renaissance and Classicism, the Enlightenment and Romanticism, Bolshevism, Modernism, and the Cold War. Apollo’s Angels is a groundbreaking work—the first cultural history of ballet ever written, lavishly illustrated and beautifully told.

Ballet is unique: It has no written texts or standardized notation. It is a storytelling art passed on from teacher to student. The steps are never just the steps—they are a living, breathing document of a culture and a tradition. And while ballet’s language is shared by dancers everywhere, its artists have developed distinct national styles. French, Italian, Danish, Russian, English, and American traditions each have their own expression, often formed in response to political and societal upheavals.

From ballet’s origins in the Renaissance and the codification of its basic steps and positions under France’s Louis XIV (himself an avid dancer), the art form wound its way through the courts of Europe, from Paris and Milan to Vienna and St. Petersburg. It was in Russia that dance developed into the form most familiar to American audiences: The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker originated at the Imperial court. In the twentieth century, émigré dancers taught their art to a generation in the United States and in Western Europe, setting off a new and radical transformation of dance.

Jennifer Homans is a historian and critic who was also a professional dancer: She brings to Apollo’s Angels a knowledge of dance born of dedicated practice. She traces the evolution of technique, choreography, and performance in clean, clear prose, drawing readers into the intricacies of the art with vivid descriptions of dances and the artists who made them. Her admiration and love for the ballet shines through on every page. Apollo’s Angels is an authoritative work, written with a grace and elegance befitting its subject. ... Read more

Product Description
Because every prima ballerina started at the beginning! Perfectly pitched text by expert author Kate Castle gives a practical guide to ballet, while specially commissioned photographs capture the magic of dance, from the excitement of a child's first class to the joy of dancing onstage and the wonder of watching a performance. Clear information about what to expect as a young dancer—from what to wear to how to perfect positions—is combined with an inspirational look ahead to the turns, leaps, and arabesques that build from these first steps. The book is full of hints, tips, and step-by-step instructions that will help every child make the most of his or her ballet classes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Wonderful intro to the world of ballet
This book is great at introducing new little ballerinas (and their moms!) to the world of ballet. It covers everything from class etiquette to what to expect when you advance through ballet training. The costumes worn by some of the children are beautiful and the definitions are simple but thorough. Love this book!

best first ballet book
My 3 year old daughter would take this book out at the library and
keep it out for months at a time. It has beautiful pictures!
I also teach preschool dance classes and they love to look at the
pictures and dream about what they could become.I highly recommend it!
buy it for all your little ballerinas!

This is a very complete A to Z look at ballet for the aspiring ballet student!
If you want to become a prima ballerina, you have to practice for many years.Even if you don't have such lofty aspirations, dancing is lots of fun and very good exercise.Ballet is an art form that is "more than 400 years old and uses steps and movements, music, scenery, and costumes to tell a story."If you decide you would like to dance you will have to have to be committed to practice each and every day.The first thing you'll have to do is find a proper studio, a teacher who is qualified and a welcoming environment in which to dance!

In this wonderful book you will learn what ballet is, how to find a place to learn, what kind of special clothing you'll need, what accessories you'll need to bring to class, how your hair should be worn, how to wear your ballet shoes, what to expect in class, how to warm up, how to get moving, what the five basic positions are, how to stand properly at the barre, barre exercises, exercises you will learn when you "become older and stronger," things you do in center practice, how to perform petit sautés (little jumps), how to focus when spinning around, hints on how to dance with a partner, how to dance on your toes (girls only!), the importance of teamwork, how to go from rehearsal to recital, you'll get a glimpse at famous ballets and will get a behind the scenes peek.

This is a very complete A to Z look at ballet for the beginner.The majority of the photographs show young dancers in action in an actual studio.There are a few photographs of older, more experienced dancers that will get the young ballet dancer dreaming about the time they acquire better skills.There are sidebar "Top tip" sections that include things like checklists of things to bring to the studio or "Ways to turn."In the back of the book is a thorough index and glossary.This would be the perfect gift for the aspiring ballet student.Are you ready to dance?

An enduringly popular choice that is as engaging as it is informative.
Expertly written by former Royal Ballet dancer Kate Castle, "My First Ballet Book: From Barres And Ballet Shoes To Plies And Performances" is effectively illustrated throughout with full color photography. This makes it an ideal introduction and guide to ballet for young readers into the wonderful, magical, thrilling world of dance. Along with seeing 'backstage', readers are provided with practical tips, step-by-step illustrations, and engaging background information that will solidly benefit aspiring young ballerinas. Very highly recommended for family, school, and community library collections, "My First Ballet Book" will prove an enduringly popular choice that is as engaging as it is informative.

Great Introduction
I bought this book for my six year old daughter. She was fascinated by the pictures and I found the explanation of terms helpful in communicating with her dance teacher. My one criticism would be that the book could cover additional basic material and possibly include some advice for parents of budding dancers.

Still, well worth the modest price. ... Read more

Product Description
Illus. in full color. The magic of the beloved ballet is captured in this affordable edition. Art by a Caldecott Honor Book artist complements a succinct narration that is ideal for young children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Nutcracker Ballet Story
This was a simple story telling about the little girl who received a Nutcracker for Christmas and the magical events that happened.

amazing book!
I was in first grade in the late 80's and we were doing a unit on the nutcracker. We went to go see the play and did a lot of music, art and english activities related to it.I was enjoying it so much that my mom bought me a copy of this book, same cover and all. I really loved the illustrations in it, from the christmas decorations to the land of sweets to all the snow. I've misplaced my copy but if I ever do find it it's a keeper!

Confusion about the character's name
Although many versions of the ballet call the girl Clara, she is called Marie Stahlbaum in the original E.T.A. Hoffmann story and in some versions of the ballet.This retelling is lovely.The name "Marie" is not incorrect; it just refers back to an earlier version of the story.

important part of Christmas to many
In reference to the next review, Marie and Clara are not the same character.Marie is the little girl, and Clara is her doll.

a little confusing
This book is beautifully illustrated and the story is an abreviated version of the origional which is nice for young children.My only complaint is that the character "Clara" is called "Marie" which is very confusing to children (and adults). ... Read more

Product Description
This richly illustrated guide uses beautiful photographs, informative text, and a free instructional DVD to help beginner and intermediate ballet students gain a greater understanding of this timeless art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Great prima for my 4 year-old ballerina1
We enjoy both the book and the DVD. It is worth the money andjust perfect in every way. Music is beautiful and relaxing too.

No DVD in the package
My daughter and I were very disappointed to find that the DVD was missing. Even though she likes the book, she kept asking me about the DVD since it is said on the cover "with instructional DVD" but the DVD was not there. Very very disappointing! Is there any place where I can download this DVD myself?

Gorgeous Book!!!!
This book has beautiful illustrations throughout. The DVD it came with was a little to fast for my daughter to keep up with but as she gets older I think it will be valuable to her. Great Ballet Book for young girls!!!

Ballerina: A Step-by-Step Guide to Ballet - A true delight from book to DVD!!
I have researched and purchased various ballet books and videos for my daughter (7 yo beginner) and myself (a dance teacher). This one is the product inspiring and helpful for both of us.The selection of the material, quality/artistry of the photographs and accompanying DVD are all superb - by far the most beautiful product I have seen. It is simply delightful!

My daughter loved to read through each page along with studying the photos - she gets more knowledge out of the book than from her classroom.

It is worth mentioning .. my 7 year old even pointed out that the barre works on DVD were shoot by 2 models facing the opposite sides, so a complete view of the movement (front-back view or left-right view) can be seen clearly (whereas if this was seen on other videos, there are typically 2 or more groups of dancers scattered in a classroom - kind of distracting).

Congratulations to the producer and the production team!!

Fun for our 5 year old
We got this because our daughter was interested in dance, but we didn't have the money to just throw into dance not knowing if she would stay interested in it. This book gave her fun things learn and practice. The book is great in teaching ballet basics. The video is a little fast for a young child not knowing very much, but could be useful later. ... Read more

Product Description
With this brilliantly imagined and beautifully achievedwork, Gretchen Warren has created the fisrt comprehensive,photgraphicaly illustrated reference and teaching guie on classicalballet technique. In more than 2,600 photographs, Johan Renvall,Cynthia Harvey, Susan Jaffe, and an array o other dancers from suchcompanies as the American Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Balletdemonstrate in sequence every movement in the classical repertoire,from the most basic to the most advanced.

The book's design matches each photograph with captions that detailsappropriate teaching techniques and describe the proper teachingtechniques and describe the proper execution of each step. A glossarydefines common dance terms, and a pronunciation guide providesphonetic transcriptions of French ballet terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (40)

Classical Ballet Technique
I have been using this technique book for over 20 years and I recommend it to all by students and feel is it is a wonderful guide for learning ballet plus it should each movement and explains in detail step by step.

Great Book!
This is a great book gives a lot of information and helps me remember certain ballet vocabulary and terms I've learned. Though it is a little old-fashioned but growing up as a dancer I know what is used still and what is not. And I've learned other terms too with the help of this book.

Excellent reference book on ballet
Excellent book to give the old school technique.I am a teacher and refer to this often.I also use the photos to explain technique in quick way.The only book I use frequently (I have a library of ballet related books).

An indispensable book!
I had read great reviews for this book, and finally lashed out and bought it.Now I have, I can't believe I hadn't done so sooner.The photos of correct versus incorrect are perfect - simple flaws you often cannot even see at a glance, however they draw your attention to your errors beautifully.Please disregard the twice-posted mention of photos being too small.This book is so comprehensive that providing larger photos would make it the size of an encyclopedia, and is not necessary at all.THIS BOOK IS WONDERFUL, particularly for adult students who are interested in learning the ins and outs of technique for themsleves alongside doing actual DVD or class lessons.

Mandatory for Teachers
This book is by far the most detailed ballet dictionary I have seen to date. There are thousands of pictures detailing every movement and position imaginable. Additionally, each section details which movements are appropriate for the difficulty of the class. While there is no lesson plan a good teacher sill use this information to base a great class around and write a curriculum with. Most of all, however, this book helps teachers to properly align their students in every movement. Not only does the book show the right way to do a movement or pose it often shows the wrong way as well acting as a great aid. ... Read more

Product Description
clear, accurate drawings (all in proper sequence) depict everything that goes on in a beginner’s class, from lacing up the ballet shoe to executing the perfect arabesque. Illustrated instructions as well for proper posture, warm-up exercises, arm movements and much more. Inspirational, encouraging and instructive advice for young ballet stars of the future.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Great Coloring book for Ballerinas or aspiring Ballerinas
Gave to my preschool daughter for graduation gift and she loves it. I bought her colored pencils to go with it to make it a bit more special. Very pleased with this coloring book!!!!

Only for those who are interested in studying ballet
I suppose I should have realized from the title that this is not a typical coloring book.

It had very few pictures in it that were of any interest to me in coloring, as the majority of pictures were of a child illustrating the various moves and positions in learning ballet.

I would have been interested if the book had featured dancers performing a scene from a ballet. There are only two or three pictures like that in the book.

It probably would be a good supplement for a teacher or student of ballet.It is well-illustrated for that purpose, but as an interesting coloring book, no.

Great Teaching Tool!
I love this book!!I am a middle school dance teacher and I just started to use this book in my class.The discriptions are great for all ages of beginning to intermediate ballet students.

Fun to color and read
This book is a nice version of the pictorial book we found and loved in our local library.I was thrilled to find a version my daughter could color any way she wanted.I felt like it was pretty accurate with how we have experienced starting ballet lessons, including being excited and nervous.The drawings are pretty but simple enough for my preK colorist to handle.

excellent illustrations and descriptions
Like all the Dover coloring books, this one is an excellent educational tool as well as a fun coloring book.One thing that other reviewers have not noted is that many of the illustrations feature young male dancers.In fact, the dancers illustrated are of different ages and ethnicities as well which is nice to see. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Indispensable
So many dancers unfortunately go directly from high school into ballet companies, without ever completing their education.Then, when their careers end at an early age, they go into teaching without any education in kinesiology, anatomy, or even pedagogy.Thus, they unwittingly promulgate myths and fallacies they were told over the years, without any understanding of what they are saying.For example, many teachers do not know the purpose of many barre exercises; they only do them because their teacher did them.This book is indispensable for anyone studying ballet for the first time (including adults), and especially for ballet teachers.

Fantastic!
I am a novice dancer and I found this book extremely helpful in learning what to do and what not to do.I've already seen an improvement in my form and ability.

Great For All Dancers
Well researched and referenced and very well written in an almost conversational type tone. I'm a folk based dancer and would recommend this to not just ballet dancers but anyone interested in debunking some of the movement myths we get fed in the dance world that are misleading and sometimes downright dangerous. The book is set out in a logical manner which makes the material easily digestible and the writing is non pretentious, making it accessible to those that may not be up with all the proper anatomical terms associated with dance kinesiology.

The product is excellent
Inside Ballet Technique: Separating Anatomical Fact from Fiction in the Ballet Class

The product is excellent

A great easy-to-read textbook
I was assigned this book in college for Dance Pedegogy and found it to be a great resource to understanding anatomy as it relates to dance.It gave me many new insights into allignment, the foot and the hip flexor and not only opened up new posibilities as an instructor, but as a dancer as well. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Hold your head up, you silly girl.
Collaboration. True life stories of collaboration told in a picture book format. It's a challenge that I give myself: Name such stories off the top of your head. If you're a children's librarian then surely you can think of one or two, yes? So I start to think about it. Let's see . . . well, there was Amelia And Eleanor Go For A Ride, but that was more a story about two strangers meeting nicely than a tale of collaboration (the same could be said for When Harriet Met Sojourner). It shouldn't be that hard to think of such stories though, right? I mean, we're constantly telling our kids that cooperation is an essential skill. We teach them to share. We (hopefully) give them the chance to learn about the essential give and take that exists when two or more people try to create something new together. Yet my mind is a perfect blank until I look over and see my copy of Ballet for Martha perched on the arm of my chair. The tale of how a dancer, a composer, and an artist/set designer is a true story that shows how professional adults can work together, regardless of differences in background, ethnicity, or experience.

"Sometimes art is made by one artist, working alone, but sometimes it is the result of artists working together - collaborating - to forge something new." New was not an unfamiliar word to dancer Martha Graham. She spent a great deal of her life exploring new types of dance in the mid-20th century. And when she wanted to make a dance about American living, she turned to composer Aaron Copland. With much revision to her vision, Copland wrote for Martha music based on the old Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts". After that, Isamu Noguchi was hired to create the spare sets for the production. The show was called "Appalachian Spring" and it has since become an American classic. The kind that can be recreated and reenacted forever, all because three different people got together to make a ballet that displayed their best works. A "Curtain Call" afterword says more about the lives of each of the three artists and a Notes and Sources section includes a Bibliography, Web Sites, and additional Notes.

Now as I see it, it would make very little sense to write a book about the creation of "Appalachian Spring" if you used an overabundance of flowery language. As such, I can't help but think that Greenberg and Jordan made a conscious decision at some point in the game to write the book with plain, simple text. The words are full of description but don't overwhelm Floca's illustrations. Sentences like "The bridegroom twirls with his bride. Then she prances in quick small steps" do an excellent job at conveying precisely what this ballet would feel like to watch. Even before you get to the pictures, the authors have synthesized the show's process into a scant 48 pages. And while the bulk of the focus rests on Martha, the writers continually pull the focus back to the music, the set, the set, the music. Even if Copland and Noguchi aren't prancing around the stage with Martha, they're present in even piece of the dance. They are as much a part of this show as she is. This book works because it doesn't shove them off to the side or conveniently forget about them. After all, all shows are collaborations. And as the very last sentence reads, in cases where new productions of "Appalachian Spring" are mounted, ". . . the collaboration will be created anew."

At first I felt that the book was near bereft of conflict. This is Martha Graham we're talking about. She knew what she wanted, she got it, and she was not a pushover. One has to assume that there were moments of tension within this collaboration. Rereading Ballet for Martha, though, I located those moments. There was the dancers' initial discomfort with Noguchi's set, for example. Or the fact that sometimes when Martha couldn't get a dance right, "She has a tantrum. She screams. She yells. She throws a shoe. The dancers wait. Martha figures it out." When writing her plan for the ballet to Aaron he had her rewrite her ideas until they made sense. The conflict is there, but it's useful conflict. The kind that includes the kind of give-and-take you need to work on a single vision with someone else.

When it comes to establishing a time or era set in the past, Mad Men's got nuthin' on Brian Floca, and you can quote me on that. The man's range is extraordinary. One minute it's cute little mice in books by Avi, the next he's delving into a light fantasy, and then the next thing you know he's taking our men to the moon. Ballet for Martha reigns Floca in a bit, after the massive success of Moonshot though the two books have more similarities than differences. For example, Floca allows himself the occasional sweeping vista, as when we see the fictional farmer and bride staring out over a vast, near empty prairie. But where Moonshot was all about the mechanics and grandiose heart-stopping breadth of space itself, Ballet for Martha zeroes in on the individual. That's a funny thing to say, considering that the book is collaboration-based, but it's true. Floca shows us the human body in motion. From Graham's distinctive contraction and release style to the ways in which a person moves in a single space. He's also very good at showing collaborative dancing, where a person is meant to share space and movement with another. In essence, share the spotlight. Which, to a large degree, is the very point of the book itself.

Beyond the watercolors, I was interested in the ways in which Floca uses handwriting to make a point. This happens only three or four times in the book, but it was enough to catch my eye. The most riveting picture, possibly in the whole book, is the one Floca created for Graham's 1929 piece "Heretic". There we see a wall of women in black, a single woman in white on her knees before them, and the words "Heretic, 1929" scrawled in white in a lower right hand corner. This imposing use of handwriting stands in contrast to previous page where the black on white writing explains the contraction and release movements so aligned with Graham's work. The only other real time handwriting is invoked comes when Floca illustrates the orchestra. Though the text explains who is present, Floca's handwriting touches on each member's instrument. You might not notice that there is handwriting in the book on a first or second read, but on the third or fourth it catches your eye. Maybe that's why Floca chooses to use it. It's a way of drawing your attention to something in a firm but subtle way. Something to ponder, anyway.

The book would pair very well with individual biographies of each of the three collaborators, like Noguchi's bio, The East-West House: Noguchi's Childhood in Japan by Christy Hale or Russell Freedman's Martha Graham: A Dancer's Life or Mike Venezia's Aaron Copland (there's not a lot on Copland out there for kids). Alas, the Bibliography at the back of this book contains a list of titles more appropriate for adults than kids, so you won't find any of these books mentioned there. Still and all, I suspect that there's enough information in this book to get some people interested in seeking out the original music (or video of the performance on YouTube for that matter).

Just as the original ballet was a collaboration between three people, so too is this book. Two authors plus one illustrator equals a way of telling a story that is too often ignored. Practical applications for collaborating with others based on real world events in a picture book form? Rare. Books that read and look this good together? Rarer still. A book that works as both a practical object and a beautiful text. Sometimes we just need stories that show us how to make things. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you want to participate in ballet or just watch it, the ballet experience can excite and inspire you. Ballet is among the most beautiful forms of expression ever devised: an exquisite mix of sight and sound, stunning, aesthetics, and awesome technique.

Ballet For Dummies is for anyone who wants to enjoy all that the dance forms offers – as an onlooker who wants to get a leg up on the forms you're likely to see or as an exercise enthusiast who understands that the practice of ballet can help you gain

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In this illustrated step-by-step guide, readers learn everything a graceful ballerina needs to know, from holding the barre to arabesques and pas de deux. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ballet Book
This paper back book written by Darcy Bussel shows through the use of young dancer the correct positions for different moves.

A Superb Introduction To BasicBallet Technique.
Darcey Bussell has been one of the world's greatest ballerinas so, when she writes a book on ballet, the expectations are high.Fortunately, this book does a great job in explaining and illustrating basic ballet technique, through a wealth of beautiful color photographs with ample descriptions, and is surprisingly extensive, even showing how to tie pointe shoe ribbons.The basics are shown by her young students, both boys and girls, from the Royal Academy of Dance, with perfect form.There are also many photos of Darcey dancing solo and in pas de deux, and a group photo of Darcey with her students.The quality of this book is first rate and a real bargain as of this writing.Readers both young and old should find this rewarding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

As expected
Great price for a straight forward ballet "dictionary".Some of the moves were hard for me to grasp but that may just be because I have absolutely no dance background.It's a good book for gaining a basic understanding of ballet movements and terminology.

IT'S A MINIBOOK!
Great reference book, but please be aware that it is a minibook. Great for carrying around in your purse.

Great Book
This book was everything I needed.A great refresher course on all basic ballet steps and moves.I really am glad I added this book to my collection.

Great little reference book
Great little reference book for ballet.Shows "step-by-step" pictures of each position and/or movement.Tells you what the body position should be when executing each movement.

Second time around
I had this book when I was a kid and I loved it.I had it when I moved and then one day is was just gone.So I got it again.I love the pictures and it is a great supplement to a class. ... Read more

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The unique style of Cuban ballet is galvanizing the world of dance in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and beyond. This beautifully illustrated book explores the history of Cuban ballet by focusing on the life and career of the indomitable Alicia Alonso. It also spotlights many of the young dancers who are changing the face of ballet with their superb technique, impeccable work ethic, and spectacular performances: Lorena Feijoo, Joan Boada, Taras Domitro,Manuel Carre, Rolando Sarabia, and Carlos Acosta to name but a few.

Customer Reviews (1)

CUBAN BALLET
A stunningly beautiful book! A family Hierloom, that truly describes the spirit of the Cuban people!A dance lovers paradise you will enjoy every single page! The pictures are captivating and beautiful...ABSOLUETLY LOVE THIS BOOK, you will see a side of the Cuban people that few if any have ever seen,a must read and see for young and old ballet lovers alike!! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Fantastic Book!
This is a fantastic book for all dance teachers! It is especially helpful in the areas of teaching skills, anatomy, health and injuries, music and opening your own studio.The author has vast experience and knowledge on the art of teaching dance. The chapters are clear, concise and filled with very useful information. A must read for all dancers, choreographers and teachers! ... Read more

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The Ballets Russes was a phenomenon of the early twentieth century, permeating daily life wherever the company traveled and leaving a lasting impact on dance, theater, and the visual arts. Sergei Diaghilev, impresario from 1909 until his death in 1929, fused the most avant-garde, groundbreaking movements in dance, choreography, art, design, and costume into unique and stunning productions. The work was exciting, and always new, and it stretched the limits of the possible in art. The color, form, and material in costume and set design astonished audiences, transforming every corner of Western culture in the twentieth century.

Fashion and decor designers and visual artists in particular—including Coco Chanel, Natalia Goncharova, Mikhail Larionov, Léon Bakst, and Pablo Picasso—found inspiration in the Ballets Russes. Designers and artists moved past old boundaries and created costumes and set designs for these extravagant productions, bridging the gaps between tangible and abstract artistic genres.

The Ballets Russes and the Art of Design explores these revolutionary icons and ideas, illuminating Sergei Diaghilev's profound revitalization of the arts, which continues to influence us today. Ten essays by internationally recognized experts and 200 color and black-and-white illustrations—many from private collections and never-before-published—discuss a broad range of topics, including set and costume designs, graphic design and poster art, photographs and postcards, Diaghilev's presence in the media, and private and museum collections of Ballets Russes treasures. ... Read more