The Ballet Book: A Young Dancer's Guide

Joan Weller is head librarian at the West Branch of Ottawa Public
Library, and the children’s literature reviewer for the Ottawa
Citizen.

This book has been written and designed for the young dancer in training. After a brief, inspirational foreword by Karen Kain are chapters on the origins of ballet and some rudimentary thoughts on ballet training. On the following pages principal ballet positions and exercises, from basic barre exercises to demanding point work, are briefly described and illustrated with technically precise photographs based on the Cecchetti method. Many of the excellent photographs are grouped in sequences to show each part of a step. Likewise, the sequence of over one hundred pictures reveals the necessary developmental stages of ballet positions. Concise instructions for each step, with parenthetical English translations of names, will be easily understood by young dancers. Concluding chapters include information on ballet production, very brief biographies of selected ballet stars, and summaries of five famous ballets, Cinderella, Giselle, The Nutcracker La Sylphide, and Swan Lake. Its attractive format, precise instructions, and professional photographs make this an indispensable guide and reference book for dancers.