Product Description
Whether as performers or as spectators, more people enjoy dance today than ever before. Its extraordinary range extends from classical ballet and baroque court spectacles to avant-garde modern dance, tap, and ethnic dancing. Anyone with an interest in dance has felt the need for a guide to the art's rich history and complex present state. Susan Au's lucid text covers the entire spectrum of dance, vividly describing the great performers and performances of the past as well as exploring in detail the dance world of today. A generous selection of illustrations completes the picture, taking the reader from the palaces of the Medici to the lofts of Manhattan, from the dancing of Louis XIV to the experimental choreography of Twyla Tharp and Pina Bausch. A completely new final chapter documents the work of the chief dancers and choreographers from the 1980s to the present, covering offshoots of modern dance such as Tanztheater and Butoh, and recent developments such as performance art and site-specific choreography. The author discusses the upsurge in the popularity of dances of the past, among them ballroom dancing and the Argentine tango, and notes the revival of tap dancing as well as the successful adaptation of Irish stepdancing to the theater. In addition, she records the uses dance and dancers have made of recent technological advances, including cinedance and videodance, CD-ROMs, and the Internet. 145 illustrations and photographs, 25 in color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Book
This book is great. It is in good condition and it shipped in the allotted time given. The cost was cheaper than if I had bought it at my school's bookstore, shipping costs inlcuded.

Choose this as a reliable text or source book.
Susan Au's history of ballet & modern dance is intelligent and authoritative.Where other narrative treatments often choose details seemingly randomly, Susan Au builds the narrative from the details she proffers.Nor does she lapse into odd anecdotes often found in other narrative treatments.This book corrects some errors that have been perpetuated in earlier encyclopedic volumes.I wish she had included a short section on antiquity, as I believe that some of the inspiration for and concepts in "classical" ballet and in early modern dance derive from the rediscovery of antiquity -- but this is just quibbling.If you are going to teach 19th and 20th century Western dance history, this is a reliable way to go.

A good overview
I use this book in my ballet history course and it's a very good book for that purpose, that is, for a basic overview on the history of dance. You won't find many details on special subjects, such as specific ballets, but it's great if you want to understand the developement of ballet through the ages and know something about the people who put their marks on the ballet. Lot's of colour photgraphs. Au's use of words is sometimes a bit complicated, at least for someone who doesn't have English for a first language. But a great book. ... Read more

Product Description
Readers are invited to join Tilly for her special birthday treat as she discovers the bustle and excitement behind the scenes at a real ballet performance. From backstage warm-ups, to a trip to the dressing room, to an unexpected wardrobe change—Tilly is just like a real ballerina. The only thing that could make her day even more thrilling? The chance to shine on stage! This charming story captures the delight and anticipation of attending an actual ballet, and makes a perfect gift for every aspiring ballerina. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Compelling Book
This book is fascinating to my granddaughters ages 3 and 5 years. We first found it and checked it out of the library. The girls were so fascinated by it that I bought it for them, even though we try to limit too much pink and "girlie" stuff in books.They like books in general, but liked this one even more than usual and last time we read it, they pretended they were ballerinas and made up a whole show!

My preschooler loves this ballet book
This book has been my 3 1/2 yr old daughter's favorite recently, and my 5 1/2 yr old son enjoys it, too.The story allows you to see "behind the scenes" of a real ballet, and the pictures are fantastic.They are very detailed - in the first picture, for example, of the ballet from the exterior, you can notice a ballet dancer going in through the stage entrance in her street clothes and big marketing posters of the main character's aunt (who is featured later in the story) gracing the building to entice people to come to the ballet.The story and pictures really seem to make the ballet seem like a magical thing to young readers, and the book has inspired us to start talking about going to see The Nutcracker ballet together as a family.We like this book enough to seek out others by this author and others by this illustrator. ... Read more

Product Description
Pauline, was rescued from a shipwreck as a baby. She longs to be an actress. Petrova, is a Russian orphan. She is happiest when playing with cars and engines. Polly was handed over with just a pair of ballet shoes to her name. If she could, she would dance all day! But one thing they DO have in common is, that with money running out at home and Great Uncle Matthew missing, the sisters want to stay together. Whatever it takes. As they prepare for a dazzling life on stage, the dreams and fears of the fossil girls are about to come true... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Service.
Thank you for delivering the book as requested.I am more than impressed with the price and service.Thank you again.I will definitely be using Amazon more in the future.

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild - Review
This book has a good plotline and is in generally a good book with character, if you read it you will definitley remember it. The punctuation, grammar and spellings could have been checked a bit more thoroughly (if they were checked at all).I would definitley recommend reading the book or see the film. :D ... Read more

Product Description
Amadeus Press/Limelight Editions is delighted to offer dance aficionados and lovers of photography and the arts ROUND ABOUT THE BALLET, with photos by renowned dance photographer Roy Round and profile/interviews by William Cubberley and dance writer Joseph Carman.The New York Times dance critic Jennifer Dunning has contributed the Foreword.

Eight major artists from American Ballet Theatre and seven from New York City Ballet are revealed herein: Maxim Beloserkovsky, Angel Corella, Irina Dvorovenko, Albert Evans, Marcelo Gomes, Nikolaj Hubbe, Julie Kent, Maria Kowroski, Vladimir Malakhov, Benjamin Millepied, Gillian Murphy, Jenifer Ringer, Jennie Somogyi, Ethan Stiefel, Wendy Whelan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Round About the Ballet
This item was purchased for someone else, but she LOVED it.The book was in excellent condition.

Ballet Photography Extraordanaire!!
This book is easily one of my favorite books.For the true Balletomane, this book is a MUST!And for the rest of the world I also highly reccommend it.
The Photographs by Roy Round are MAGNIFICENT!The grain, (clarity), is something seldom seen in the world of ballet photography where it is so diffucult to photograph the suject in a moving or semi-moving position or even in a "posed" photograph.
With all of his subjects, and he chooses several contemperary dancers including Nikolaj Hubbe, Julie Kent, Angel Corella, Wendy Whelan and my favorite in this book, Ethan Stiefel, the color saturation, (the natural look of color), is BEAUTIFUL!
My best advice to you, dear Reader, is run don't walk to Amazon to buy this GREAT book!The cover alone is worth the price of admission.And what follows between the boards will simply amaze you.
Gary R. Brown

A visual treat and an effort to capture the movements and artistry of ballet in photo book format
The stars of top New York City ballet companies have been selected by dance photography Roy Round for profile in Round About The Ballet, a visual treat and an effort to capture the movements and artistry of ballet in photo book format. But Round About The Ballet isn't just visuals alone: interviews with the dancers probe their achievements, lives, and dancing challenges alike, covering such diverse topics as how ballet competitions have changed their lives, how associations with particular companies have influenced their dancing styles, and both physical and psychological dancing challenges. A 'must' for any serious dancer, especially for fans of ballet.

Insightful interviews with top-tier dancers
I've always been a fan of Roy Round's pictures. I never imagined text could rival their command of my attention, but these interviews are fabulous.

If you can't find out what you want to know about these dancers by chatting with them over lunch, reading these interviews is almost as good.

The best book about ballet
I have been going to the ballet seriously for 35 years.Nothing gets into the heart and soul of dancers the way this book does.And the photographs of the fifteen individual dancers simply take the breath away -- especially the one on the cover. ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive book for learning and appreciating ballet, The Ballet Book goes behind the scenes to the classes, rehearsals, and performances that have shaped this prestigious ballet company. Readers will learn from the best as American Ballet Theatre dancers show how to stretch, stand, dance, and perform like professional ballerinas. Featuring photographs of dancers at their most dramatic--and most intimate--this fully illustrated book shares ballet's best-kept secrets and, by demonstrating how to watch and appreciate as well as to dance ballet, is indispensable for every dancer and lover of dance.

The book offers a thorough explanation of each step in a dancer's routine: from preparing the shoes and stretching to classwork and rehearsals to the finale--the performance itself. Both a how-to and a privileged glimpse at the hours of practice and fierce determination that go into making the finest dancers, the book features ballet's brightest stars, including Nina Ananiashvili, popularly known as Nina Ballerina, and Ethan Stiefel, who has become a celebrity both onstage and off.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

advance ballet student thoroughly enjoys book
I received this book last Christmas as a present and was so thrilled to have it that I literally sat down for 2 hours slowly flipping through the pages and forgot about the rest of the presents to open.My husband and father-in-law actually left me with my book to do other things since I wasn't going to budge.I cannot open this book without looking through it entirely.

There are very few vivid and enticing books of ballet.I love seeing dancers, true professionals at the top of their game, performing or posing to evoke emotions from their audience.Since I am a perfectionist, I am looking at their form, their shapes, seeing what I can do better.Books such as this one renew my mind and push me harder in class to create that perfect line, find that correct position.I am one of the few that love ballet as much as breathing, and this book captures my love quite excellently.

If you are looking for an excellent visual reference for technique, get Classical Ballet Technique by Gretchen Ward Warren.This is full of step by step photos of rudimentary and advanced steps.

fascinating and beautiful
This book is nothing but spectacular photography and interesting behind-the-scenes looks at one of the most beautiful arts in the world. I love ballet and I can't get enough of it. This book is one of my favorite things ever and it's a great addition to any book collection. Stories, costumes, and props for various major ballets from Nutcrakcer to Sleeping Beauty were a pleasant surprise that added to the quality of this book.

Behind-the-Scenes and upfront at ABT
A comprehensive overview of the workings of a major ballet company,in this case American Ballet Theatre, with detailed insights from administrators, students, staff, and principal dancers.Not only are various levels of experience explored (from corps to principals) but also some of the training involved and differences between styles of performance: Virtuoso/bravura, Lyrical/Adagio, Allegro.In short, what makes a dancer great or a performance work. There are also explanations of rehearsal scheduling, tech/dress rehearsals, and why time is money too.

The section on the details of partnering--especially lifts and preventing mistakes in timing or perception--was interesting because this is an area not usually covered in simple manuals of positions. Also the sections on what aspects of technique matter--e.g. purity of line, consistancy of positioning--besides the pyrotechniques of 32 fouettes or soaring ballon may help others see it's not all tricks.And finally someone shows proper hands and says no to 'droopy wrists'!

There are a wealth of photographs: Both corps demonstrating positions and rehearsing; Irina Kolpakova, Kevin McKenzie, Kirk Peterson, Guillaum Graffin teaching; Lar Lubovich choreographing; and the principals in performance of the major repertoire.Enjoy the pictures of current and up-and-coming soloist/corps members--some of whom are now principals.There are also one or two photos of principals prepping in their dressing rooms and/or the wings. The contrast between the dancers and the backstage gaffer/fly/grip staff and big$-donors observing rehearsals is also amusing.

All in all, a lovely overview of ABT busy at work bringing insight and enjoyment to us fans, however knowledgeable we are--or not.A good purchase, especially for the details provided and knowing comments of the dancers and teacher/coaches.

decor
A beautiful book with photos and some text.
There is no real explanation of how to do anything ballet.
That is OK. Just understand that this is basically a book for decoration, not instruction.

SO FAR I LOVE THE BOOK, I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH IT
I love everything about the text, photos.I use do ballet, but I didn't know anything about it when I took ballet.So this book is showing and telling about it.Its defintly a keepsake for me and my kids, grandkids, and so on.Thank you. ... Read more

Product Description
With over 100 drawings, this text offers explanations for over 250 ballet terms. In order to soften the aridity of technical terms, references are made to ballet steps in actual performance. The authors run their own ballet school in Harlow, Essex. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

French ballet terms explained
Maybe this is not the book for the serious ballet student - they ought toknow all this already - and shame if they do not. But for the ballet fan,the regular theater goer, who is curious - what is this fantastic leapcalled... and those weird turns. Here are the explanations and handsomedrawings, a truly enjoyable volume. ... Read more

Product Description
A colorfully illustrated journal offers space for young ballet students to record the special events and experiences of their dance class, from ballet steps and positions to performances they have seen and recitals in which they have taken part. ... Read more

Product Description
DK presents exciting new covers for 13 of your favorite Ultimate Sticker Books: Animal, Baby Animal, Ballet, Bug, Bulldozer, Dangerous Dinosaurs, Dinosaur, Ancient Egypt, Farm, Pony, Shark and Whale, Space, and Truck. Annotated with factual information, each book contains more than 60 full-color, reusable stickers so children can create their own fun scenes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

GREAT STICKER BOOK
My almost 5 year old daughter loved this sticker book.She loved it more than I thought she would actually.I'll be getting more of these for her.She loves Barbie and takes ballet so it was a hit.I helped her with the placement of some of the stickers and we had fun together.Now, she loves to read the book over and over.It's not a story but she likes me to read her the excerpts about each character.I recommend this!

My little girls LOVES this sticker book
I bought this as a birthday present for my 7-year-old and she has spent a lot of time poring over each page, reading the captions and attaching the stickers. It is a very informative book and lots of fun for the little girl who likes stickers and ballerinas (which is just about all of them.) It was inexpensive and the stickers -- which are beautiful -- are re-usable. ... Read more

Product Description
Do you command an audience's attention using graceful arm and head positions?

Learn how...in the first ballet book designed for skaters!

Ballet Secrets for Skaters unlocks the secrets of ballet technique in a fun and friendly style.Discover many tools and tips for proper placement of the upper body--the first place an audience looks.

. Phtos of real figure skaters show common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
. Ballet Secrets and Quick Checks help you remember these points on the ice.
. Emphasis on making a winning impression--even when you stand still.

Bonus!Olympic Gold Medalist Viktor Petrenko and Ladies World Champion Yuka Sato--famous for their artistic expression--offer advice and inspiration for today's competitive skaters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tips, tricks and techniques for embodying grace
Written by a Russian-trained dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Ballet Secrets for Skaters: How to Hone Your Artistic Competitive Edge is a valuable guide for figure skaters, coaches, dance teachers, and skating enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. Chapters disseminate basic poise tips of ballet, from how to hold the fingers, wrist, and shoulder to artistic guidelines for the arm and head position, and ballet poses that will add grace and charm to any ice skating routine. Black-and-white photographs clearly demonstrate the positions and, and the text clarifies tips, tricks and techniques for embodying grace. Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced and competitive skaters. ... Read more

Product Description
BalleCore is unique in that it combines three tried-and-true disciplines into one optimal workout. Pilates strengthens and stretches the major muscles, activates your core (the band of muscles below your chest), and energizes your body. Hatha yoga helps quiet the mind through breath, fortifies the nervous system, builds stamina, and produces mental equilibrium. Ballet increases blood flow, develops poise, promotes good posture, and improves balance.

Fitness dynamo and faculty member of the Boston Ballet for the past seven years, Molly Weeks is the woman behind BalleCore. She has chosen an array of effective exercises from each of these three disciplines to create a fulfilling workout that can easily be done in your own home and in under an hour. The results?

• Reduce backaches and stress
• Develop stature, support the spine, and feel steady on your feet
• Sculpt your arms, legs, hips, and core–and look trimmer than ever
• Loosen those tight spots in the shoulders, neck, and joints
• Gain an incredible sense of ease throughout your body
• Experience inner calm, self-confidence, and renewed optimism

With step-by-step instructions and profusely illustrated with helpful photographs, The BalleCore Workout® is the ultimate path to good health, longevity, and mind/body wellness. Remember: 50 minutes a day can change your life! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Pretty good..........3.5
Firstthe quibbles:

-The title is a bit misleading - yoga is not much of a presence on the book (One short chapter I think.) The bulk is Pilates and dance based moves.

-I found that the workouts take longer than the time allotted - even allowing for a learning curve with any new routine.

-Descriptions of the exercisesand photos are not always as clear as I had hoped - from time to time I had to puzzle over what I was supposed to do.

However, having said that, this book does provide some nice variations on Pilates mat work, especially some moves that help build balance. Balletcore provides a good stretching and flexibility programme- not so much on strength building, or cardio fat-burning exercise.

I mostly use the Brooke Siler mat book, and then for my arms the Denise Austin ball and band book (yes somewhere a Pilates purist *is* shuddering).I don't rely on this Ballecore in the same way, and don't very often refer to it - but I don't regret having it on hand either.

Great Exercise Routine
I like what the book contains, but it is very hard to exercise and read the book at the same time.A DVD would work better.Great concept and lots of fun, but hard to follow the book.

Not as good as I'd hoped
As I fondly remember the ballet classes I had when I was younger, I was dissapointed to find that the exercises in this book actually have little resemlance to ballet exercises.

The "barre" in this program is in most instances just a substitute for weights, and most of the exercices are floor work, and not the sort of exercises I am used to while standing at the barre.

I am unlikely to use most of the exercices in this book.

For all levels
This is a great book to get back to the basics of strengthening your core and working on stretching.There are a lot of photos, and the explanations of exercises are very informative and easily understood.Great introduction. This book is particularly good for dancers at all levels

Emphasis on ballet over Pilates and yoga, but well done
I've been aware of this book since it came out.Molly Weeks was one of the participants on the original Method show several years ago, and I was not surprised that she, too, had developed an exercise system that combined yoga, Pilates and ballet as Jennifer Kries did a few years ago.When this came out, I only briefly skimmed it and it didn't grab me, so I didn't read it very carefully.However, a few days ago I decided to give this one a chance, and now I am impressed.

Unlike most of the other Pilates-writers out there, Weeks' does not have a background in performance.Her exposure to ballet is through classes- the way most of her readers might hope to be exposed as well.The same can be said of her yoga experience, although she is a fully certified Pilates teacher, through Romana no less.In other words, she has the credentials to come up with a system.

The system itself is Warm Up, Core Pilates, Stretching, Hips and Buttocks, Floor Ballet, Back, Standing Ballet, Ballet Combinations, Hatha Yoga and Cool Down.As you can see, the majority of the work is influenced by ballet, although the Hips and Buttocks and Floor Ballet segments combine techniques from the other disciplines as well.Although all of the segments are well-thought out and illustrated, the ones that I found most helpful were the Floor Ballet and Ballet Combinations.I have not seen many of the exercises from the Floor Ballet segments elsewhere, and I find them to be really effective.The Ballet Combinations were both new and inspirational.Although I wouldn't go so far as to say that I felt like a dancer doing them, these exercises did provide that element that I've been looking for in my own exercise routine, and I look forward to doing them again.

This is a great supplement to your other workout regimens, but I feel it can also stand on its own. ... Read more

Product Description
Do you command an audience's attention using graceful arm and head positions?

Learn how...in the first ballet book designed for skaters!

Ballet Secrets for Skaters unlocks the secrets of ballet technique in a fun and friendly style.Discover many tools and tips for proper placement of the upper body--the first place an audience looks.

. Phtos of real figure skaters show common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
. Ballet Secrets and Quick Checks help you remember these points on the ice.
. Emphasis on making a winning impression--even when you stand still.

Bonus!Olympic Gold Medalist Viktor Petrenko and Ladies World Champion Yuka Sato--famous for their artistic expression--offer advice and inspiration for today's competitive skaters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tips, tricks and techniques for embodying grace
Written by a Russian-trained dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Ballet Secrets for Skaters: How to Hone Your Artistic Competitive Edge is a valuable guide for figure skaters, coaches, dance teachers, and skating enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. Chapters disseminate basic poise tips of ballet, from how to hold the fingers, wrist, and shoulder to artistic guidelines for the arm and head position, and ballet poses that will add grace and charm to any ice skating routine. Black-and-white photographs clearly demonstrate the positions and, and the text clarifies tips, tricks and techniques for embodying grace. Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced and competitive skaters. ... Read more

Product Description
BalleCore is unique in that it combines three tried-and-true disciplines into one optimal workout. Pilates strengthens and stretches the major muscles, activates your core (the band of muscles below your chest), and energizes your body. Hatha yoga helps quiet the mind through breath, fortifies the nervous system, builds stamina, and produces mental equilibrium. Ballet increases blood flow, develops poise, promotes good posture, and improves balance.

Fitness dynamo and faculty member of the Boston Ballet for the past seven years, Molly Weeks is the woman behind BalleCore. She has chosen an array of effective exercises from each of these three disciplines to create a fulfilling workout that can easily be done in your own home and in under an hour. The results?

• Reduce backaches and stress
• Develop stature, support the spine, and feel steady on your feet
• Sculpt your arms, legs, hips, and core–and look trimmer than ever
• Loosen those tight spots in the shoulders, neck, and joints
• Gain an incredible sense of ease throughout your body
• Experience inner calm, self-confidence, and renewed optimism

With step-by-step instructions and profusely illustrated with helpful photographs, The BalleCore Workout® is the ultimate path to good health, longevity, and mind/body wellness. Remember: 50 minutes a day can change your life! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Pretty good..........3.5
Firstthe quibbles:

-The title is a bit misleading - yoga is not much of a presence on the book (One short chapter I think.) The bulk is Pilates and dance based moves.

-I found that the workouts take longer than the time allotted - even allowing for a learning curve with any new routine.

-Descriptions of the exercisesand photos are not always as clear as I had hoped - from time to time I had to puzzle over what I was supposed to do.

However, having said that, this book does provide some nice variations on Pilates mat work, especially some moves that help build balance. Balletcore provides a good stretching and flexibility programme- not so much on strength building, or cardio fat-burning exercise.

I mostly use the Brooke Siler mat book, and then for my arms the Denise Austin ball and band book (yes somewhere a Pilates purist *is* shuddering).I don't rely on this Ballecore in the same way, and don't very often refer to it - but I don't regret having it on hand either.

Great Exercise Routine
I like what the book contains, but it is very hard to exercise and read the book at the same time.A DVD would work better.Great concept and lots of fun, but hard to follow the book.

Not as good as I'd hoped
As I fondly remember the ballet classes I had when I was younger, I was dissapointed to find that the exercises in this book actually have little resemlance to ballet exercises.

The "barre" in this program is in most instances just a substitute for weights, and most of the exercices are floor work, and not the sort of exercises I am used to while standing at the barre.

I am unlikely to use most of the exercices in this book.

For all levels
This is a great book to get back to the basics of strengthening your core and working on stretching.There are a lot of photos, and the explanations of exercises are very informative and easily understood.Great introduction. This book is particularly good for dancers at all levels

Emphasis on ballet over Pilates and yoga, but well done
I've been aware of this book since it came out.Molly Weeks was one of the participants on the original Method show several years ago, and I was not surprised that she, too, had developed an exercise system that combined yoga, Pilates and ballet as Jennifer Kries did a few years ago.When this came out, I only briefly skimmed it and it didn't grab me, so I didn't read it very carefully.However, a few days ago I decided to give this one a chance, and now I am impressed.

Unlike most of the other Pilates-writers out there, Weeks' does not have a background in performance.Her exposure to ballet is through classes- the way most of her readers might hope to be exposed as well.The same can be said of her yoga experience, although she is a fully certified Pilates teacher, through Romana no less.In other words, she has the credentials to come up with a system.

The system itself is Warm Up, Core Pilates, Stretching, Hips and Buttocks, Floor Ballet, Back, Standing Ballet, Ballet Combinations, Hatha Yoga and Cool Down.As you can see, the majority of the work is influenced by ballet, although the Hips and Buttocks and Floor Ballet segments combine techniques from the other disciplines as well.Although all of the segments are well-thought out and illustrated, the ones that I found most helpful were the Floor Ballet and Ballet Combinations.I have not seen many of the exercises from the Floor Ballet segments elsewhere, and I find them to be really effective.The Ballet Combinations were both new and inspirational.Although I wouldn't go so far as to say that I felt like a dancer doing them, these exercises did provide that element that I've been looking for in my own exercise routine, and I look forward to doing them again.

This is a great supplement to your other workout regimens, but I feel it can also stand on its own. ... Read more

Product Description
Tilly loves her ballet class. What could be more fun? She gets to wear special clothes, try out fancy new positions, and do her best cat impression. But, when it’s time for the big recital, Tilly learns another aspect of ballet: the preperformance jitters!

Perfect for the beginning ballerina, this gentle text combined with exuberant and warm illustrations captures the joy and excitement brought on by everything from wearing your first tutu to practicing your first plié. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Every dancing girls favorite book
Time for Ballet is my daughters favorite book since she first checked it out from the library.We checked it out so often that I finally purchased it for her birthday.She loves the story and pictures of a girl who loves dancing as much as herself!I recommend this book to anyone who knows a dancing princess!

A book we return to over and over again!
My daughter loves this book.We have checked it out at least 10 times from the local library.It is by far her favorite ballet book.We started reading it when she was three, and she's still asking for it now when she's almost five.

A BOOK TO KEEP YOUNG DANCERS ON THEIR TOES
All young dancers, boys and girls alike, will easily and happily relate to Tilly.This is a little girl who loves her ballet classes so much that her Mom calls her "Tutu Tilly."

These classes are all excitement and fun for Tilly.She likes the special clothes, especially her pretty pink leotard, and she even enjoyswarm-up exercises.

However, there's also a great deal of work to be done because there's a big show coming up.There are all kinds of animals in the show - Howard is a butterfly, Jake is a dinosaur, and Tilly is a cat.

She practices every day because she's determined to dance just like a real cat.Then, as the big day approaches, whoops, she has a funny feeling in her stomach - it's those pre-performance butterflies.

However, everyone knows the show must go on.Illustrator McNicholas perfectly captures the action and excitement of young dancers in her sprightly, colorful paintings.

A BOOK TO KEEP SMALL DANCERS ON THEIR TOES
All young dancers, boys and girls alike, will easily and happily relate to Tilly.This is a little girl who loves her ballet classes so much that her Mom calls her "Tutu Tilly."

These classes are all excitement and fun for Tilly.She likes the special clothes, especially her pretty pink leotard, and she even enjoyswarm-up exercises.

However, there's also a great deal of work to be done because there's a big show coming up.There are all kinds of animals in the show - Howard is a butterfly, Jake is a dinosaur, and Tilly is a cat.

She practices every day because she's determined to dance just like a real cat.Then, as the big day approaches, whoops, she has a funny feeling in her stomach - it's those pre-performance butterflies.

However, everyone knows the show must go on.Illustrator McNicholas perfectly captures the action and excitement of young dancers in her sprightly, colorful paintings.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Product Description
Taking center stage this spring-Ellie Brown in The Royal Ballet School Diaries! With a passion for dancing and the drive to succeed, Ellie, an American girl, will stop at nothing to achieve her dream of getting accepted as a ballet student at the Royal Ballet School in London. This new series is the perfect mix of ballet, friendship, competition, and taking chances!

Dear Diary,

I made it! I was actually accepted to The Royal Ballet School's lower school. I love it, but I'm not used to dancing with an entire class of BADs-Brilliantly Awesome Dancers! I'm going to have to work if I want to keep up with the competition. And I'm not the only one-my bunkmate, Lara, has been struggling since she got here. I'd talk to her, but she definitely doesn't want my support! How can I convince her that we might need to work together if we want to stay on top? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Check out Ballet Friends if you like ballet
I have this book. I don't know why everyone likes it. It's boring and dull, and not funny. There's this new series called Ballet Friends, and I got book one as soon as it came out. It's called Ballet Friends: Get to the Point! and is WAY better! The characters are real and totally entertaining. It's all laughs, laughs, laughs. I have the sequel on order (Ballet Friends 2: The Rise of Beezilla), and it sounds hysterical! Trust me, Ballet Friends is the way to go!

very good sequel
In the second chapter of The Royal Ballet School (R.B.S.) Diaries, Ellie has made it into the R.B.S.'s Lower School. She describes all of her classes and ballet moves with superb details. She has made great friends with all of the other students, except for Lara, a fact that Ellie tries to change. Ellie shows her fantastic qualities of hard work, determination, and compassion. A wonderful lesson is mixed in with a very good ballet story. Ellie is an amazing example for any young girl, but especially ballerinas. The only negative comment I can make of the book, is that it can sometimes come off as an advertisement of the R.B.S., which is fine, but can be annoying at times.

Lara's Leap Of Faith
When Ellie arrives at the Royal Ballet School she easily becomes friends with all of the year 7 girls except for Lara.Ellie tries to get along with her but Lara doesn't welcome her offer.One day in Ballet class Ms.Wells anounces that there will be Nutcracker try-outs.Of course everyone is excited but not everyone will be selected to perform.However Lara and Ellie are two of the girls picked and are both given the same part.Lara was scheduled to perform on December 12th and Ellie was scheduled to perform on December 1st.But when Ellie finds out that she told her family that she was performing on the 12th instead of the 1st she is worried.Her mother's wedding was on the same day that she was performing.How would she ever be able to be at both events? But Lara is nice enough to switch show dates to resolve Ellie's problem.Without Lara it would have NEVER worked out.

THIS BOOK IS SO TOTALLY COOL!! IT IS A MUST TO READ!!
Reporter's Opinion: I think that that this is a great book for all girls, especially girls that are into ballet.

Summary: Ellie made it into the Royal Ballet School! She gets to do ballet everyday, but she has to do regular school work, too. She becomes really good friends with all of her dorm mates, except for Lara. At the tryouts, Ellie by accidentally bumped into Lara, and Lara thought Ellie was just trying to mess up her chances of getting into the Royal Ballet School. But soon they got it straightened out. They also got to try out for The Nutcracker. Bryony, Lara, and Ellie were chosen to be party children in it! When Ellie e-mails everybody about the great news, she typed the wrong date! She was dancing on the 1st, but she e-mailed that she was dancing on the 12th! So, when her mom called her, saying that she is getting married on the 1st and everyone bought tickets to see her on the 12th, Ellie finds herself in a big mess! She talked to Rose (the organizer,) and gets everything straightened out. She didn't even mess up once!

wow
Ellie is at RBS lower school! She loves it there. But there are two problems:
1. She is not the best in her class at RBS.
2. Lara, a roomate, hates her.
What is Ellie going to do? ... Read more

Product Description
Rosie tries to make up with her former best friend and get into ballet class after the sign-up deadline. ... Read more

Product Description
Before Belinda was Belinda the Ballerina, before she was Belinda in Paris, and way before she was Belinda and the Glass Slipper, she was a little girl who wanted to dance. But there were two things standing in the way— her left foot and her right foot.

Belinda’s teacher, Mrs. Rhino, chooses Belinda to play the clown in a skit for the school talent show. Her feet are perfect for floppy clown shoes. But after seeing an older girl soar big across the stage as a ballerina, Belinda has other plans....

This fourth book about everyone’s favorite ballerina is sure to delight little ballerinas with big dreams.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

My daughter loves this book
I borrowed this book from the library and my 2-1/2 year old daughter absolutely loves it.The illustrations are lovely and the story is cute.I ultimately bought the book because my daughter was upset for days after we returned it to the library.

Ok, but a little mean
I bought this for my daughter who loves ballet.Its cute in some parts, but I really don't like that the teacher is so mean to Belinda.She keeps telling Belinda how big her feet are and how she should be a clown. She's mean and a big degrading to Belinda.I don't really think that's appropriate for children to see an adult treating kids that way.Is this about ballet or verbal abuse?I'm not sure.

great book
We love the entire Belinda series.My 3-year-old wants to hear this book again and again.And we can't wait til Amy Johnson writes a new one. ... Read more

Product Description
Book #2 in the Ballet Friends series.

Everything was going great in ballet for twelve-year-old Lisa, until one fateful day in class when it all came crashing down. While practicing a tricky pirouette, Lisa trips on her unraveling toe shoe ribbons and painfully lands on her ankle. All her ballet dreams flash before her eyes - and even faster than that, her mother scoops her up off the floor and out of ballet for good! But not if Lisa's ballet friends have anything to do with it. The girls are determined to get Lisa back in ballet. With Bianca as their leader, the gang does whatever it takes to help Lisa recover and get right back into her toe shoes again. But will Lisa be allowed back in ballet class? If she's not, will shy Lisa go back to her old ways and head back into her shell? And will jealous friend Margo like it better without Lisa, and secretly plot to keep her out? One thing is for sure, ballet is the glue that keeps the friendship together.

Reading level: ages 9 to 12 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful message
My daughters love this book series. This second book really hits home with a wonderful message. Not only is it filled with ballet, but it also sends the message of sticking with your goals and standing by your friends. The characters all help their injured friend Lisa who hurt her ankle. They encourage her to stay in ballet instead of quitting. Sports injuries do happen, and it's great to teach our girls how to be true friends. I have found this Ballet Friends series to be very well written, engaging, and intelligent.

A very fun ballet book
In this book, the ballet friends step into action and show just how big their hearts are. They do everything in their power to get Lisa back in their ballet class and show her how much she's part of their group.

This book does a great job of showing one young dancer's realistic dilemma after she sprains her ankle. It convinces us without a doubt that Lisa DOES belong back in ballet with her best friends. Back in the day, I was a ballet student and now I'm a mother of two ballet students. I bought this book for them along with book one, and I wound up reading them too. We all enjoyed these dance stories, and now of course I want to see what happens when they visit my hometown, New York.

Good clean fun, and full of humor, strong characters, and of course, ballet!

The perfect sequel and lots of laughs
I got this book for my sister before I left for college. She really loved the first book. She also loved this one and got me into reading it. It was sooo good and now I know why my sister loves Ballet Friends. This book #2 is about keeping the group together when two major things happen. 1) It's the 1st day of school and they're about to find out if they can be friends outside of ballet. 2) Lisa's accident in ballet class and she leaves ballet. Even though there are a couple problems for the girls to solve, the book is still very funny and full of Margo's awesome one liners! I'll definitely buy my sister the third book.

A fun sequel
My 10 yr old loved this book as much as Ballet Friends #1. I was curious so I read it too. I found it to be a very enjoyable children's book. It's very age appropriate and my daughter does read it, even though she's also a major Disney Channel devotee. In this story one girl has a dancing injury which takes her out of ballet. Her new best friends convince her to "get back on the horse" and return to ballet, and not be afraid of falling again. It's very heartwarming as well as very humorous throughout. This mom approves. ... Read more

Product Description

In the two decades between its debut performance and the death of impresario Sergei Diaghilev in 1929, the Ballets Russes was an unrivalled sensation in Paris and around the world. But while scholarly attention has often centered on the links between Diaghilev’s troupe and modernist art and music, there has been surprisingly little analysis of the Ballets’ role in the area of tastemaking and trendsetting. Ballets Russes Style addresses this gap, revealing the extent of the ensemble’s influence in arenas of high style—including fashion, interior design, advertising, and the decorative arts.

In Ballets Russes Style,  Mary E. Davis explores how the Ballets Russes performances were a laboratory for ambitious cultural experiments, often grounded in the aesthetic confrontation of Russian artists who traveled with the troupe from St. Petersburg—Bakst, Benois, and Stravinsky among them—and the Parisian avant-garde, including Picasso, Matisse, Derain, Satie, Debussy, and Ravel. She focuses on how the ensemble brought the stage and everyday life into direct contact, most noticeably in the world of fashion. The Ballets Russes and its audience played a key role in defining Paris style, which would echo in fashions throughout the century.

Beautifully illustrated, and drawing on unpublished images and memorabilia, this book illuminates the ways in which the troupe’s innovations in dance, music, and design mirrored and invigorated contemporary culture.

Product Description
The girls’ first summer term is here, and Ellie Brown and friends can’twait to kick up their heels again. They are even more excited whenthey learn that two former RBS students, now world-famous dancers,will be filming a documentary at the school! Everyone is thrilled forthe opportunity to meet the dancers and star on film—except Kate.Ellie doesn’t understand why Kate seems so distressed. When the girlslearn why, the truth is shocking—and teaches them that true friendshipprevails even when circumstances are not as they seemed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Another wonderful read in the series
In the fifth installment of The Royal Ballet School Diaries, the girls' start their first summer term. Ellie and her friends are thrilled when they learn that two past R.B.S. students, who are now world- renowned dancers, will be filming a documentary at the school. Everyone is ecstatic for the opportunity to meet the dancers and get a chance to be on film -- except for Kate. Ellie doesn't understand why and tries to find out. The girls are shocked to learn why, but with Ellie around, no one can be upset for long. This is just another example of how to be a good friend and realize that some problems are not as bad as they seem. As usual with the series, it is a good story about ballet and friends. Everyone will enjoy this book, and also the series. And as I stated in my previous reviews in the series, the only thing that I don't care for in The R.B.S. Diaries are that at times they can sound like a R.B.S. advertisement. Other than that, it is highly enjoyable!

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good
This book is so good! It's my favorite so far. As I was reading it, I just couldn't put it down! My mouth was wide open in shock as I read it. I think anyone who reads this book will just absolutly love it, even if you don't dance. The only thing is that you have to read the other 4 before reading this one, otherwise it'll be hard to follow. Hey, it is a series!

good book
This is a great book for ballet students named Margo

Emily ... Read more

Product Description
Ellie has won her place at the Royal Ballet School - it's the most exciting thing ever. What could be better than dancing nearly every single day? But life doesn't always run smoothly for Ellie and her friends. An insider's view of life at the Royal Ballet School - with all the drama and excitement of training for the stage. Book Six: Grace is a real perfectionist, but feels she can never do well enough for her ambitious mother. As the end of year performance approaches, all the Year 7 students are feeling the pressure, but is Grace's need to excel getting out of hand? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Oh Please! OCD? Just read Ballet Friends!
First, I hate the cover. Why do I want the ugly girl's butt in my face? I'm afraid to hold this book around school, for fear of being called a lesbian. Actually, all the covers look like this, and I just rip them off. My mom agrees. Anyway, I hate the OCD stuff, and thanked the lord when Ballet Friends came out! It is so cool and funny, and just what I wanted. If you like ballet, you'll love Ballet Friends! Try #1, Ballet Friends: Get to the Point! Then read #2, Ballet Friends 2: The Rise of Beezilla. You'll thank me.

Another terrific installment that tackles more serious content
The end of the R.B.S. year is fast approaching and the girls are working hard in their classes for the big summer performance that marks the end of the year. The girls are filled with anticipation -- and plenty of pressure. While all the girls are nervous, Ellie notices that Grace is more anxious than everyone else and doesn't seem to be performing as well as usual.

This installment deals with more serious issues, and is a good way to introduce younger girls to OCD. Ellie runs to Grace's rescue as she always does, and tries to do all that she can to help, even though she gets frustrated herself. Ellie, as always, demonstrates what a good friend does for another. Meanwhile, Ellie is working hard for the end of the year performance! This book is just as good as the rest of the books in the series and is exceedingly pleasing. And as I stated in my previous reviews in the series, the only thing that I don't care for in The R.B.S. Diaries are that at times they can sound like a R.B.S. advertisement.

This was a very good book.
Reporter's Opinion: I thought that this was an excellent book. It was very exciting and easy to understand. I recommend this book for all girls ages 8 - 16.

Summary: Grace's mom is putting too much pressure on Grace to be the best dancer of her age group. Grace was always under pressure and she felt that she must be perfect about everything, and she was very sensitive. Ellie told Grace that she might have a disorder called OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and together, they told their dorm mom, Mrs. Hall. Mrs. Hall told the principal, and she made arrangements for her, Grace, and Grace's mom to have a meeting about the disease. In the end, Ellie helps Grace to overcome her symptoms, and together, they dance in the Grand Defile.

... Read more