Gloria's Promise: A Ballet Dancer's First Step (American Ballet Theatre)

by Robin Preiss Glasser (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From the New York Times bestselling illustrator and former ballet soloist Robin Preiss Glasser comes a story about a young ballet dancer whose boundless determination makes her dream of dancing with the American Ballet Theatre come true.

Gloria has a very big dream: to be admitted to the summer program at the American Ballet Theatre. The day of the audition arrives, and Gloria couldn't be more excited! She can't wait to dance and show the world what she can do. In the ABT studios, she gets a peek into a glorious room filled with pointe shoes, ballet dancers getting fitted for tutus, and an awe-inspiring company rehearsal. She can barely believe her eyes! During the audition, Gloria is determined to make an impression by pushing herself to be her best. But when she falls in front of the teacher, she wonders if her determination will be enough.

Robin Preiss Glasser, the bestselling illustrator of the internationally renowned Fancy Nancy series, brings exquisite and authentic details to every illustration as only a former professional ballet soloist can do. This story about a determined dancer who is working hard to achieve her dream is sure to thrill ballet students everywhere.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

More books in the series - See All

Kirkus Reviews

A delightful, inspiring introduction to the world of dance.

Publishers Weekly

Sisters Glasser and Weitzman (You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum) reteam for this experiential tale, produced in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, of a young dancer determined to be admitted to ABT's summer intensive. Gloria encourages herself internally ("Take a deep breath. You've got this") as she and her mother, both portrayed with pale skin, battle snowy New York City streets and a crowded subway en route to the audition. After signing in among a bevy of children portrayed with varying skin tones, Gloria takes a wrong turn and stumbles onto backstage wonders: a room filled with pointe shoes, dancers at a costume fitting and--breathtakingly--a company rehearsal in progress. A fall tempers Gloria's confident exuberance at the audition, but she soldiers on, demonstrating resilience. Glasser's signature art style exudes Gloria's love for dance, while a series of energetic spot illustrations delineate the slow passage of time as she awaits the important news. Slipping in a vocabulary lesson for "promise" as both potential and vow, the creators render a lively paean to passion and persistence via a sympathetic protagonist who knows that "This is where I want to be." Ages 4-7. (Mar.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Robin Preiss Glasser
Robin Preiss Glasser is the national bestselling illustrator of many books for children, including the Fancy Nancy series, written by Jane O'Connor; Lambslide and Escape Goat, written by Ann Patchett; and Grande Jete and Me by ballerina Allegra Kent. Robin is an alumna of the American Ballet Theatre School scholarship program under Patricia Wilde, and danced professionally with the Pennsylvania Ballet. She lives in California with her husband.

Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman is the author of several books for children, including the award-winning You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum and its sequels, created in close collaboration with her sister Robin Preiss Glasser. Her most recent books are Superhero Joe and Superhero Joe and the Creature Next Door, illustrated by Ron Barrett. Jacqueline lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her husband, writer Larry Weitzman.

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE is considered one of the greatest dance companies in the world. Located in New York City, it was founded in 1939 with a mission to create, present, preserve, and extend the great repertoire of classical dancing. In 2006, ABT became America's National Ballet Company(R). Find out more at ABT.org and follow them on Instagram at @abtofficial and on Twitter at @ABTBallet.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593181003
Lexile Measure
560
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Studio
Publication date
March 20, 2023
Series
American Ballet Theatre
BISAC categories
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV032000 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | General
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Auditions
Ballet dancing
American Ballet Theatre

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!