Stories from the Ballet

Christine Linge MacDonald is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

This attractive volume is bound in mottled royal blue, and comes with
matching endpapers that are reminiscent of handmade paper. The cover
illustration from “Swan Lake” is a particularly lovely sample of
Lisa Kopper’s delicate artwork, which abounds throughout the text. The
resulting combination is a visual tribute to the dignity of classical
ballet that will not repel young readers with too much formality.

Greaves carefully chose eight ballets whose plots are particularly
accessible to a young audience, in many cases those dealing with magical
animals or dolls and toys that come to life. Drawn from romantic and
classical themes as well as folk and fairy tales, one encounters famous
ballets like “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker” alongside less
familiar offerings like “Petrushka” and “Ondine.” In each case,
Greaves presents the bare bones of the story while remaining true to its
stage presentation. Nonetheless, her compelling narrative style will
engross the reader, and the tales include sufficient psychological depth
to explain the characters’ motives without sinking a young reader in
an emotional mire. The clear typeface and ample margins add to the
book’s readability.

Lisa Kopper’s illustrations will also communicate successfully with
the young reader, while offering no disappointment to the adult
observer. The drawings are pretty, awash with gentle colors, and
accented with vibrant highlights. Kopper somehow manages to make her
adult figures seem a bit like large children. The combined effect will
surely charm youngsters and make them feel welcome in the sometimes
intimidating world of classical ballet. Highly recommended.