My List of Picture Books featuring Ballet and Dance for Young Children. Happy International Dance Day!

Ballet and Dance in Picture Books

My choice of picture books for young children featuring ballet and dance. Including storybooks and activity books. Happy International Dance Day!!

TIGER IN A TUTU BY FABI SANTIAGO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A striking picture book about a tiger who aspires to be a ballet dancer in Paris. Against all the odds he follows his dream and with a little help from his new friend finally performs in a proper theatre. The bold limited palette really captures the French capital and the twilight world of theatre life. Enchanting and inspiring with the lovely sentiment that nothing is impossible this is the perfect present for little dancers everywhere.
ISBN: 9781408336885 HB Orchard Books £11.99

5/5 Stars

Ella Bella Series by James Mayhew

Stories of a little student ballerina being whisked away into the words of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and the Nutcracker (isbn below). Beautiful illustrations and a real delight.

Orchard ISBN-: 978-1408314081

Ps. James has a great blog to check out
James Mayhew Blog

Dogs Don't Do Ballet by Anna Kemp

Funny and heart warming story of a Dog who Dreams of Being a Ballerina

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1847384744

Tutu Tilly Series by Adele Geras

Tilly's adventures as a ballerina including My Ballet Dream and Little Ballet Star and The Ballet Class(isbn below)

Orchard ISBN: 978-1843624134

Angelina Ballerina Series by Katherine Holabird

A Series of adventures of a little mouse who is a ballerina. Picture Books

Puffin ISBN- 978-0723271666

Fairy Pop-Up Ballet Tree

A beautiful 3D pop-up tree with movable pieces, press-out fairies and decorations, fun fairy facts and a novelty pocket

Macmillan ISBN 978-0230760301

How to Draw Princesses and Ballerinas by Fiona Watt 5+

Aspiring artists can choose from gorgeous projects including a Sugar Plum Fairy, a Fairytale castle and a Princess Sleepover. With simple step-by-step instructions, children will be able to produce satisfying results time and time again.

Usborne ISBN 978-1409566366

Ballerinas, Usborne Sticker Fashion by Leonie Pratt 5+

Dress the ballerinas up in different costumes with 400 stickers provided

Usborne ISBN 978-0746076583

Ballet and Dance in Children's Fiction 7+

Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

A historical romance in which one Harriet Morton comes to life only when she attends her weekly ballet class in 1912. She finds her fortune as a dancer, but all the time she is followed by her father and by the man intent on becoming her husband. A great read for Ibbotson fans and a modern day classic!
Picador ISBN- 978-0230014848
Children 9+

Ballet Shoes Noel Streatfield

The story of three sisters going to stage school, the youngest being an inspiring dancer. A Classic.

Puffin ISBN- 978-0141334424
Children 9+

Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfield

When their mother dies, leaving them orphaned, Rachel and Hilary are sent to live with their aunt, who runs a troupe of dancing girls -'Mrs Wintle's Little Wonders'. Hilary, a talented dancer, settles there immediately and loves the chance to dance every day. Rachel finds it more difficult to fit in. She's also got another worry on her mind. Her mother's dying wish was for Hilary to attend the Royal Ballet School. But Hilary seems to have other ideas! Another classic

Hodder ISBN- 978-0340626634
Children 9+

Magic Ballerina Series by Darcey Bussell

A delightful series of stories about different little ballerina's on various adventures. The first one is called Delphie and the Magic Ballet Slippers.

Harper Collins ISBN- 978-0007286072
Children 7+

Ballet in Fiction Part 2 For Adults and Children

My list of ballet books was getting so long I thought I had better put it into two parts.

Books for Ballet Lovers Part 2 focuses on ballet in fiction for adults and children.

Ballet In Fiction

Prima Donna by Karen Swan

Pia Soto is the sexy and glamorous prima ballerina, the Brazilian bombshell who’s shaking up the ballet world with her outrageous behaviour. She’s determined that no man will ever control her destiny. But ruthless financier Will Silk has Pia in his sights, When a devastating accident threatens to cut short Pia’s illustrious career, Sophie has to step out of the shadows and face up to the demons in her own life. A really fun holiday read by an author who has clearly done her research. Very enjoyable with larger than life characters and lots of glamour!

Pan ISBN 978-1447223740

Check out Karen Swan's Website

Dancer by Colin McCann

Fictional life of Rudolf Nureyev as a child and how he became a dancer.

Phoenix ISBN: 978-0753817049

First Love by Adrienne Sharp

Gripping story of two ballet dancers in love making their way through the ranks. Quite dark in places so have put it in Fiction but could be given to older teenager. NB this seems to be out of print but if you can get it worth the read. An easy holiday read.

Arrow ISBN-13: 978-0099491026

Two books using Degas and the ballet world so must read

Painted girls by Cathy Buchanan

Set in the Paris it tells the story of three sisters, one of whom becomes the model for Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. A Darkly Beautiful read on theatre life in The Belle Epoque. For My Review click here

US Imports ISBN-13: 978-1594486241

Ballet in Children's Fiction 7+

Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

A historical romance in which one Harriet Morton comes to life only when she attends her weekly ballet class in 1912. She finds her fortune as a dancer, but all the time she is followed by her father and by the man intent on becoming her husband. A great read for Ibbotson fans and a modern day classic!
Picador ISBN- 978-0230014848
Children 9+

Ballet Shoes Noel Streatfield

The story of three sisters going to stage school, the youngest being an inspiring dancer. A Classic.

Puffin ISBN- 978-0141334424
Children 9+

Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfield

When their mother dies, leaving them orphaned, Rachel and Hilary are sent to live with their aunt, who runs a troupe of dancing girls -'Mrs Wintle's Little Wonders'. Hilary, a talented dancer, settles there immediately and loves the chance to dance every day. Rachel finds it more difficult to fit in. She's also got another worry on her mind. Her mother's dying wish was for Hilary to attend the Royal Ballet School. But Hilary seems to have other ideas! Another classic

Hodder ISBN- 978-0340626634
Children 9+

Magic Ballerina Series by Darcey Bussell

A delightful series of stories about different little ballerina's on various adventures. The first one is called Delphie and the Magic Ballet Slippers.

Harper Collins ISBN- 978-0007286072
Children 7+

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW APRIL 23-24

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW APRIL 23-24

Find my Childrens Book Review Column in The South Wales Evening Post this weekend April 23-24th. This week my picks include an epic fantasy from Cassandra Clare, Thomas The Tank Engine visiting London for the Queens Birthday, a street full of monsters and a tale of damaging friendship and survival.


BOOK OF THE WEEK

LADY MIDNIGHT BY CASSANDRA CLARE
CHILDRENS 12+
An exciting new series which returns to the ever popular world of the Shadow Hunters introduces us to the next generation of warriors. A huge book of such epic proportions it will devour you. There is a killer amongst them but whom can they trust? With a large diverse cast this has something for everyone. Doomed love, fractured families, fast and furious adventure and so many twists and turns it leaves you breathless. Epic
ISBN: 9781471116612 PB Simon & Schuster Ltd £12.99
5/5 Stars

A VISIT TO LONDON FOR THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE
CHILDRENS 2+
The Fat controller has been invited to London to the Queens Birthday and who better to take him but Thomas. On his way they see all the capitols landmarks like St Pauls Cathedral and Tower Bridge. They even sail down the Thames and end a great day celebrating the Queens Birthday. Perfect introduction for those visiting London for the first time and a great addition to a beloved series teaching lessons about life and friendship.
ISBN: 9781405281263 PB Egmont UK Ltd £6.99
5/5 Stars

SCREAM STREET: UNINVITED GUESTS BY TOMMY DONBAVAND
CHILDRENS 5+
This CBBC tie in contains two fun filled adventure stories full of werewolf’s, ghosts , haunted houses and other very scary things. The government allow a mix of ghouls, vampires and monsters to live on Scream Street, out of the way so they wont be a nuisance and most of the time its peaceful. Most of the time. A bit of horror mixed with friendship and fun that will appeal to boys and girls.
 ISBN: 9781406367843 PB Walker Books Ltd £5.99
4/5 Stars

BEAUTIFUL BROKEN THINGS BY SARA BARNARD
CHILDREN 13+
A powerful novel that will give you much to think about. Caddy and Rosie are best friends but when the new and exciting Suzanne arrives it changes their dynamic for ever. Caddy is desperate to come out of her shell and is totally entranced by Suzanne's wild free spirit but at what price? Self destructive because of her fathers physical abuse Suzanne spirals out of control but will the girls be able to save her?
ISBN: 9781509803538 PB Pan Macmillan £7.99
5/5 Stars

Childrens Book Review in The South Wales Evening Post April 16th-17th

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW APRIL 16^th

Find my Childrens Book Review Column in The South Wales Evening Post this weekend April 16th-17th. This weeks picks include a timeline of British History, exotic food, an adventurous pigeon and personal second world war stories.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE WHAT ON EARTH? WALLBOOK TIMELINE OF BRITISH HISTORY BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD
CHILDRENS 7+
From dinosaurs to the present day this is a wonderful illustrated timeline of British History that children can follow over a fold out two meter long map. Also included are stories, letters, a quiz and a magnifier to get a really good look at the details. Giving an overall view of how history developed this will enthral budding historians and will really help explain the evolving social changes alongside significant events. Fascinating.
ISBN: 9780993019920 HB What on Earth Publishing Ltd £12.99
5/5 Stars

CAN I EAT THAT? BY JOSHUA DAVID STEIN
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Expand your childrens culinary horizons with this bright and quirky picture book about food we can or cannot eat. What is a sea urchin? Do eggs grow on egglants? Cleverly picking on foods from around the world and playing on words this will stimulate not only thought and discussion but your taste buds as well. Suitable for either good or faddy eaters alike this engaging book also donates a portion of its proceeds to Action Against Hunger.
ISBN: 9780714871400 HB  Phaidon Press Ltd £10.95
4/5 Stars

DAVE PIGEON BY SWAPNA HADDOW
CHILDRENS 5+
Dave and his sidekick Skipper are two pigeons on a quest to defeat the most evil cat in town. Told in first person and punctured with hilarious cartoon like illustrations from the talented Sheena Dempsey the two squabbling birds tell the story of their adventures making it perfect for early readers. Children will love these two irreverent heroes but who will win Mean Cat or Dave Pigeon? You will have to learn Pigeonese to find out!
ISBN: 9780571323302 PB Faber & Faber £5.99
5/5 Stars

VOICES FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR BY VARIOUS
CHILDRENS 9+

This insightful and sensitive historical book is packed full of personal accounts of World War Two. Stories include resistance fighters, RAF pilots, a man who survived Hiroshima and a prisoner of Auschwitz. Children gain a real insight into the enormous effect that the war had on lives. It is a treasury of valuable lessons learned that can be passed down to future generations. A portion of proceeds donated to Silver Line.
ISBN: 9781406360110 HB  Walker Books Ltd £14.99
5/5 Stars
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Book Review Hour of The Bees by Lindsay Eager

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eager

Synopsis

This powerful debut novel delicately blurs the line between truth and fiction as Carol unravels the fantastical stories of her mentally ill grandfather.

When she and her family move to his deserted ranch in order to transfer him to a care home, Carol struggles to cope with the suffocating heat and the effects of her grandfather's dementia.

Bees seem to be following her around, but the drought means this is impossible.

She must be imagining things. Yet when her grandfather chooses her as the subject for his stories - tales of a magical healing tree, a lake, and the grandmother she never knew - Carol sees glimmers of something special in what her parents dismiss as Serge's madness.

As she rethinks her roots and what she thought she knew about her family, Carol comes to the realization that Serge's past is quickly catching up with her present.

A stunning coming-of-age story.

My Musings

This book draws you in like honey to a bee. Part coming of age story, part modern day fable, its two worlds  colliding. The young and the old. life and death,  modern day and myth.

 Twelve year old Caroline has to go with her family to take her estranged Grandad to pack up his belongings and take him to a home as he has dementia. None of the family want to be there and her grandfather is bitterly resentful. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife, not to mention feel the heat beat down on you in the drought ridden desert where he lives. .

Her grandfather starts to question their identity and ask awkward questions of them all. Why are they are all so determined to ignore their Mexican roots? The book raises the issues of why most of us want to be part of a crowd and would rather fit in rather than stand out.

As Caroline gets to know her Grandad he spins her far fetched  magical tales of an oasis with a green glass lake and a tree that gave immortality. Using characters including his dead wife Rosa he talks of adventure,  wanderlust,  bravery and greed. All the while Caroline sees bees that should be long gone in this brutal environment. Why are the bees following her? What happened to the magic tree? Why did her dad fall out with Serge her Grandad

A beautiful moral tale with a message that pierces your soul like an arrow. 

Don't be afraid to live you life because nothing is impossible you don't think about it.

ISBN: 9781406368154 PB Walker Books Ltd £7.99

5/5 stars

BUY HOUR OF THE BEES

Childrens Book Review in The South Wales Evening Post April 9-10th

Find my Childrens Book Review Column in The South Wales Evening Post this weekend April 9-10th. This picks include an island castaway, a brave mouse, an adventurous tapir and a spy on a mission. 


BOOK OF THE WEEK

KENSUKE'S KINGDOM BY MICHAEL MORPURGO
CHILDRENS 9+

A retelling of Robinson Crusoe, this is one of my favourite Morpurgo stories. While sailing around the world with his parents Michael is washed over board with his dog and they find themselves on a deserted island. Or is it? Kensuke, a former Japanese soldier has chosen to live an isolated life after the horrors of the war but despite resistance they forge an unlikely bond that will change them both. A modern day classic adventure story.

ISBN: 9781405281799 PB Egmont UK £6.99

5/5 Stars

THE LION INSIDE BY RACHEL BRIGHT & JIM FIELD
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Mouse is fed up being ignored. Just because he is small and meek doesn't mean he is invisible. Is he brave enough to ask for help from the king of the jungle? It seems however that even the strongest of us have some weaknesses as well. A thoroughly entertaining story with a positive message about overcoming your fears. Also makes a great bedtime story for fans of the Gruffalo.

ISBN: 9781408331606 PB Orchard Books £6.99
5/5 Stars

MANGO & BAMBANG: TAPIR ALL AT SEA BY CLARA VULLIAMY
CHILDRENS 6+
Four classic tales featuring the adventures of a little girl Mango and her unusual friendship with a Malaysian Tapir called Bambang. Striking illustrations in black, grey and red just add to the sheer delight as Bambang tries dancing flamenco, escapes dangerous villains and finds out who really loves him the most. A great little gift with its striped hardback cover and red edged pages. For fans of Paddington and Milly-Molly-Mandy.
ISBN: 9781406361476 HB Walker Books Ltd £8.99
4/5 Stars

ENDGAME BY CHRIS RYAN
CHILDRENS 13+
A high octane thriller that will have your heart pumping. Teenage spy Zack Darke is in big trouble. His handler has been kidnapped and the only way to save the day is for him to knowingly walk into danger. Chris Ryan uses all his real life experience in the SAS to inject fast paced excitement and adventure. It feels like your in the middle of an action movie and is a great series for James Bond fans.
ISBN 9781849410120 PB Penguin Books £6.99

5/5 Stars

Childrens Book Review in The South Wales Evening Post April 2- 3rd

Find my Childrens Book Review Column in The South Wales Evening Post this weekend April 2-3rd. My picks including a very naughty book eating monster, a ballet dancing tiger, a gladiatorial zebra and a coming of age drama in 1970's Alaska. Never say I don't give variety!!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

NIBBLES BOOK MONSTER BY EMMA YARLETT
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A superbly crafted and ingenious picture book. Nibbles loves books but unfortunately as more of a snack!! Chase him through three of your favourite fairy tales, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and The Beanstalk and Goldilocks and The Three Bears causing chaos, with lift the flaps and holes he has naughtily made. So much to see and do this will be returned to again and again. A book that keeps on giving.
ISBN: 9781848691933 HB Little Tiger Press Group £11.99
5/5 Stars

TIGER IN A TUTU BY FABI SANTIAGO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A striking picture book about a tiger who aspires to be a ballet dancer in Paris. Against all the odds he follows his dream and with a little help from his new friend finally performs in a proper theatre. The bold limited palette really captures the French capital and the twilight world of theatre life. Enchanting and inspiring with the lovely sentiment that nothing is impossible this is the perfect present for little dancers everywhere.
ISBN: 9781408336885 HB Orchard Books £11.99

5/5 Stars

JULIUS ZEBRA: BUNDLE WITH THE BRITONS BY GARY NORTHFIELD

CHILDRENS 7+

The unlikely madcap story of a gladiator and peoples champion who just happens to be a zebra! This is an irreverent, fast paced and zany introduction to Roman Britain. Emperor Hadrian asks one last favour of Julius and his bumbling friends before they are set free. Will they survive to tell the tale? Heavily illustrated with cartoon style drawings and brimming with jokes and historical facts this is great for early readers. Educational and hilarious! 
ISBN: 9781406354935 HB Walker Books Ltd

4/5 Stars

THE SMELL OF OTHER PEOPLES HOUSES BY BONNIE SUE HITCOCK

TEEN FICTION 12+

A coming of age story about four very different teenagers who's lives collide in 1970's Alaska. Beautifully written it touches on first love, self preservation against the odds and friendship. A bit of luck is thrown in but will the four overcome adversity and will their scars heal? An unusual and deceptively sensitive book with a real sense of place, this has wide appeal from teen to adult and would be great for a book group. Riveting!

ISBN: 9780571314959 PB Faber & Faber £7.99

5/5 Stars