Ballet [Hardcover]

Kate Castle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Single Subject References

Written by a former member of The Royal Ballet company, this book offers a true insider's view of absolutely everything a budding balletomane wants to know about dance from the costumes, the steps, the choreographers, and the dance companies to what it's like in a class, a rehearsal and a performance. The illustrations --luscious and atmospheric -- thrill and inspire. Also a terrific reference, this book provides detailed coverage of the history of ballet, retellings of favorite ballet stories, and a glossary of dancers, choreographers, companies and technical terms, as well as a timeline of performances. A beautiful gift book as exciting as opening night!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Featuring colorful, accurate, and sometimes very detailed illustrations, this introduction to the world of ballet provides a wealth of information. Succinct chapters cover ballet's history and technique; the roles of the composer, choreographer, and designer; the actual performance; and even a glimpse into the diaries of a professional dancer and an 11-year-old student. Biographical sketches of some of the foremost choreographers and dancers of the 20th century, as well as synopses of some of the great ballet stories and companies, are included. There are even tips on ways to enjoy ballet. This oversized volume would make a fine companion to Darcy Bussell and Patricia Linton's The Young Dancer (DK, 1994). Both are excellent sources for accurate insights and details, with Bussell and Linton spending more time on technique and Castle adding more details about all of the components that create this special world.
Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Kate Castle began her career as a dancer with the Royal Ballet. Later she became the education officer for the company, and has worked as a dance consultant and educator for many years. She has written several children's books about ballet, including the Kingfisher favorite The Best Book of Ballet.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher; 1 edition (September 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753450011
• ISBN-13: 978-0753450017
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,869,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely, lively guide., July 21, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Superguides: Ballet (Hardcover)

Another instalment in what has become the season of the ballet books. Typical DK, this is beautiful and comprehensive. The photos are crisp, the information is accurate, and the whole presentation is attractive. The author is a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. It is nice to have the author of a ballet book be a young dancer who is currently popular, rather than one close to retirement and more unfamiliar to the beginning students who would be most interested in the book. It is difficult to explain physical activities with words, movement with photos, so this book (or any other book on ballet) won't really teach one to dance, but will help with what to expect, and perhaps perfect movements and positions learned in class. This is also the only ballet book I have ever seen that teaches one how to tie ribbons on pointe shoes. Useful addresses, index, glossary at the end. The price is certainly right, and I could find no technical flaws, other than the few photos of dancers often identified by company and/or piece, but not always the individuals. It would also have been nice to see the author's credentials listed in the beginning of the book, rather than on the outside back cover.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a beautiful book!, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ballet (Hardcover)

This is one of the prettiest books on ballet I've ever seen. It's very informative and gives a good description of life in the ballet. I recommend this book to anyone with a passion for dancing!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginning ballerinas!, November 28, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Superguides: Ballet (Hardcover)

My seven-year-old is in her second semester of ballet, but has been picked to appear in the company's Christmas presentation. She seems to be taking the lessons and rehersals seriously. I got this book because I took two years of ballet, and wanted to remember the terms and positions and share with my daughter. We both love the book -- the pictures are clear, the descriptions and short and good. I would recommend this to any young lady starting out in ballet!