Welcome to Ballet School

Bouder, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, offers a kid-friendly introduction to ballet in this simplistic depiction of five children's first experiences of class. "No matter what you look like, ballet is for everyone" Bouder announces in an introductory note; though the mixed-gender group appears culturally and ethnically diverse, no other differences are apparent. Gouache and colored pencil cartoon illustrations by Bereciartu (High-Five to the Hero) enhance the book's welcoming tone as a kindly teacher (who outdatedly addresses the school-age children as "little ones") shepherds them quickly from warm-ups and the five basic positions to arabesques and pirouettes to performing a classical ballet. Exceptionally helpful for beginners, close-up diagrams show ballet's five positions (separate spreads cover arms and legs) and detail each stage of the legs' movements in traditional ballet steps (plié, tendu, etc.). Bouder strikes several personal notes, for example appearing as the ballerina-mother of a student who bears her own daughter's name, guiding the classmates through a performance of Sleeping Beauty. Though readers won't take away a sense of ballet's rigor or artistic resonance (these dancers choose what to wear, what positions to try, and which roles they want to enact), the book is a useful and appealing primer for those with little to no experience in the ballet studio. A glossary and ethnically inclusive gallery of important dancers concludes. Ages 4-7. (Aug.)

K-Gr 3--A group of children arrive at the ballet studio ready to learn. They warm up, practice the moves from Sleeping Beauty, and conclude with a lesson on the importance of bowing to the audience. Bouder, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, provides a thorough introductory, interactive guide for novice ballerinas. Each page is broken into sections, showing the students demonstrating moves with arrows for direction. There are also definitions of ballet terms, with illustrated close-ups of hands and feet. Some readers may have trouble with the pronunciation of some terms, as there is not a phonetic guide, but the images will allow readers to follow the moves with ease. The children in the book include male and female students, as well as kids from different ethnic and racial backgrounds. The faces of the children in the class showcase a range of emotions and feelings (hesitation, concentration, worry), reminding young readers that any skill or activity takes practice. VERDICT A detailed and practical title for those interested in learning about ballet or to engage young readers in movement during story time.--Kaitlin Malixi, Kensington Health Sciences Academy, Philadelphia