The illustrated book of ballet stories - Barbara Newman

Featuring The Sleeping Beauty
Giselle
Coppelia
Swan Lake
and The Nutcracker
The Illustrated Book of Ballet Stories introduces the princes and princesses - as well as the heroes and villains - who dance their way through these classic ballets. Exquisite illustrations evoke magic of each ballet and make the characters dance on the page; each scene unfolds as if you were watching a real performance. Imaginative retellings bring the stories to life so readers can experience the sorrow that Odette feels when she is betrayed in Swan Lake
or the joy of Princess Aurora when she is finally woken by the prince in The Sleeping Beauty.
As well as being a captivating story book
Ballet Stories is also a wonderful source of reference for every ballet enthusiast. The illustrations pay particular attention to the technical accuracy of the dancers' positions
and feature the principal movements and steps for which each ballet is famous. Background information
illustrated with dramatic colour photographs of ballet stars
provides fascinating insight into the world of professional ballet both past and present. In addition
notes on the music for each ballet explain how the main musical themes emphasize the action and create atmosphere. In a specially written foreword
Darcey Bussell
principal dancer with The Royal Ballet in London
explains how she was first drawn into the world of ballet
and how it feels to dance these magical roles.