Books

Dance Books

Here are some suggestions of fiction books you might enjoy*:

For Younger Readers

Angelina Ballerina

by Craig, Helen & Katharine Holabird

Angelina is a pretty little mouse who wants more than anything else to become a ballerina. She dances all the time, and her parents are in despair. Then one day they think of a plan that changes Angelina's life...

(others also in the same series)

Ruby the Ballet Star

by Griffey, Harriet & Anne Holt

A pop-up book for very young children, telling the story of how Ruby, a rather over-weight hamster, becomes the star of the ballet class.

Marinetta at the Ballet

by Elaine Mills

Little Marinetta lives in her very own room at the top of an old dolls' house, and every evening she dances for Uncle Theo Bear who plays the violin. When he takes her to see a ballet performance at the toy theatre she is so enchanted that she decides to go to dancing school and become a proper ballerina. But can her dream ever come true?

Ballet Stories

Ballet Shoes

by Noel Streatfield

The classic children's story of three adopted sisters and their struggle to become dancers.

Ballet Shoes for Anna

by Noel Streatfield

For Anna, everything takes second place to her burning desire to dance. Even the earthquake that destroyed her Turkish home has not made her think differently, only now she's stuck in a prim suburban household with an uncle who "doesn't approve" of dancing.

What can Anna do? Not only is there no one to give her lessons, but there's no money for them either, and, anyway, dancing's forbidden. Will she ever become the ballerina she longs to be?

Dancing Shoes

by Noel Streatfield

When their mother dies, Rachel and Hilary are sent to live with their aunt who runs a troupe of dancing girls. Rachel wants Hilary to be a professional ballet dancer; her mother's dying wish, but Hilary has other ideas.

Little Swan Series

1: Little Swan	by Adele Geras (age 4-8)	The first book in a series about a girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. Louisa starts lessons locally, and with typical self-assurance soon sees herself as class star. So when it comes to putting on a performance, she knows there's only one role for her - prima ballerina.
2: Louisa's Secret		The second book in a series about a girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. When Tony moves into the neighbourhood, he and Louisa instantly become friends. He thinks ballet is for cissies, but Louisa manages to persuade him to help her practise at home, and soon he's joining in.
3: Louisa in the Wings		The third book in a series about a girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. When a Russian ballet comes to town with a production of "Coppelia", Louisa scrapes the ticket money together through a succession of get-rich-quick schemes - but then discovers that the show's a sell-out.
4: A Rival for Louisa		The fourth book in a series about a girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. When a new girl joins the ballet class, Louise takes an instant dislike to her, but as rehearsals for their performance of the "Nutcracker" progress, the pair find that they actually rather like each other.
5: Louisa on Screen		Louisa and her sister are off to Florida to enjoy some fun in the sun with their dad. But for Louisa that means missing the ballet school end-of-year display. However, the prospect of appearing on television soon cheers her up.
6: Good Luck, Louisa		Louisa is horrified when she gets the news that Miss Matting's Ballet school has to close down. The only other school in town is notoriously hard to get into, and very expensive! Phoebe, Tony and Louisa all audition and the others soon receive letters telling them their fate. But there is no letter for Louisa. Is this the end of her dancing career?

Dancing Shoes Series

1: Lessons for Lucy	by Antonia Barber	Lucy Lambert can't wait to start ballet lessons, but her mum can't afford to send her to the local ballet school. How is Lou's dream ever going to come true?
2: Into the Spotlight		Lou Lambert and her best friend, Emma, are excited to be starting ballet lessons together at last, but not everyone at the Maple School of Ballet is friendly. Angela, a girl in Emma's class, is particularly unpleasant.
3: Friends and Rivals		Charting Louisa's developing skills, interest in and knowledge about ballet, this book is part of a series which follows the friendships and rivalries among the members of the ballet class, and the lives of the people in the house where Louisa and her friend Emma live.
4: Out of Step		Lou is not happy when her friend Emma's bossy grandmother arrives. Granny Browne thinks that rich, but horrible Angela, a member of Lou and Emma's ballet class, would be a more suitable friend for Emma. At ballet classes Angela is super-sweet to Emma, and she and Lou began to drift apart.
5. Making the Grade		Lou and Emma can't stop thinking about their first grade exams. They want to do well, but when Emma's dad loses his job, they realize that ballet exams aren't the only things to worry about. If Emma's family has to move away, the two friends might have to part.
6: Lucy's Next Step		The "Dancing Shoes" series features a group of friends who attend ballet classes after school. All are keen on ballet and dancing but all have different ability levels and very different personalities. The stories follow the friendships and rivalries among the members of the ballet class.
7: Best Foot Forward		This series features a group of friends who attend ballet classes after school. Not everyone is pleased when Lou's best friend, Emma, joins her class at school. Tracey doesn't like her one bit. Then Emma is picked to dance one of the Cats in the school concert and Tracey is left out.
8: Time to Dance		Lucy, Emma and Jem think a dance dash sounds like a great way to have and to raise money for charity. They might even get to be on television. The only problem is persuading Miss Maple of the Maple Shcool of Ballet to let them take part.
9: In a Spin		Lou makes friends with Paul Purvis who tells her about his problems at home - his stepfather thinks he should be playing sport instead of dancing. Jem becomes jealous of Lou's friendship with Paul and they fall out.
10: Model Dancers		Shell Pink returns with an invitation for Lou, Jem and Emma to go to the London production of West Side Story. They are to spend the day together and watch Shell doing a photo shoot for a dance clothes catalogue in the afternoon.
11. In the Wings		Shell has got chicken pox, Emma has already had it but Lou and Jem worry in case they miss their grade exam. They do both get it, and although Lou is better in time to do her exam she only gets highly commended and is sure she won't get into the Junior Associates class but, of course, she does.
12: Dance to the Rescue		This story involves Louise and friends who are in Cornwall for the summer. They get involved in a rescue which involves the Air Ambulance helicopter. Realizing how important this service is, they go on to organize a concert to raise money for the Air Ambulance.

Ballet Stories Series

Ballet Stories: Dancer in the Wings	by Lorna Hill
Ballet Stories: The Little Dancer
Ballet Stories: Dancer's Luck
Ballet Stories: Dancer's Peel

Sadler's Wells Series

by Lorna Hill

An excellent series of books, sadly now out of print, but if you ever see one second hand it is well worth a read!

Please let us know if you have read any other books you would like to recommend. Would you like to write us a book review of a dance-book you have read? Email us

*Disclaimer: Please note the MB Academy of Dance cannot take responsibility for the content of any of the books mentioned. Books are listed for your information only and carry no particular recommendation from us.

Zoë Mottaz

ANATD Distinction

email: zoe@mbdancers.co.uk

based in Cambridge UK

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Last Updated: 29-Mar-2006

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