My First Ballet Book

By Kate Castle

Book Overview

Because every prima ballerina started at the beginning Perfectly pitched text by expert author Kate Castle gives a practical guide to ballet, while specially commissioned photographs capture the magic of dance, from the excitement of a child's first class to the joy of dancing onstage and the wonder of watching a performance. Clear information about what to expect as a young dancer--from what to wear to how to perfect positions--is combined with an inspirational look ahead to the turns, leaps, and arabesques that build from these first steps. The book is full of hints, tips, and step-by-step instructions that will help every child make the most of his or her ballet classes.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0753460262
• ISBN13: 9780753460269
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Kingfisher
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.7" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

best first ballet book

My 3 year old daughter would take this book out at the library and keep it out for months at a time. It has beautiful pictures! I also teach preschool dance classes and they love to look at the pictures and dream about what they could become. I highly recommend it! buy it for all your little ballerinas!

This is a very complete A to Z look at ballet for the aspiring ballet student!

If you want to become a prima ballerina, you have to practice for many years. Even if you don't have such lofty aspirations, dancing is lots of fun and very good exercise. Ballet is an art form that is "more than 400 years old and uses steps and movements, music, scenery, and costumes to tell a story." If you decide you would like to dance you will have to have to be committed to practice each and every day. The first thing you'll have to do is find a proper studio, a teacher who is qualified and a welcoming environment in which to dance! In this wonderful book you will learn what ballet is, how to find a place to learn, what kind of special clothing you'll need, what accessories you'll need to bring to class, how your hair should be worn, how to wear your ballet shoes, what to expect in class, how to warm up, how to get moving, what the five basic positions are, how to stand properly at the barre, barre exercises, exercises you will learn when you "become older and stronger," things you do in center practice, how to perform petit sautés (little jumps), how to focus when spinning around, hints on how to dance with a partner, how to dance on your toes (girls only!), the importance of teamwork, how to go from rehearsal to recital, you'll get a glimpse at famous ballets and will get a behind the scenes peek. This is a very complete A to Z look at ballet for the beginner. The majority of the photographs show young dancers in action in an actual studio. There are a few photographs of older, more experienced dancers that will get the young ballet dancer dreaming about the time they acquire better skills. There are sidebar "Top tip" sections that include things like checklists of things to bring to the studio or "Ways to turn." In the back of the book is a thorough index and glossary. This would be the perfect gift for the aspiring ballet student. Are you ready to dance?

An enduringly popular choice that is as engaging as it is informative.

Expertly written by former Royal Ballet dancer Kate Castle, "My First Ballet Book: From Barres And Ballet Shoes To Plies And Performances" is effectively illustrated throughout with full color photography. This makes it an ideal introduction and guide to ballet for young readers into the wonderful, magical, thrilling world of dance. Along with seeing 'backstage', readers are provided with practical tips, step-by-step illustrations, and engaging background information that will solidly benefit aspiring young ballerinas. Very highly recommended for family, school, and community library collections, "My First Ballet Book" will prove an enduringly popular choice that is as engaging as it is informative.

Great Introduction

I bought this book for my six year old daughter. She was fascinated by the pictures and I found the explanation of terms helpful in communicating with her dance teacher. My one criticism would be that the book could cover additional basic material and possibly include some advice for parents of budding dancers. Still, well worth the modest price.