Sleeping Beauty: the Ballet Story [Hardcover]

Marian Horosko (Adapter, Author), Todd L. w. Doney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

Presents the story of the ballet based on Perrault's fairy tale.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-A picture-book retelling of the plot from the Petipa/Tchaikovsky ballet. The retelling here is every bit as good as those found in Jane Rosenberg's Dance Me a Story (Thames & Hudson, 1985) and in Violette Verdy's Of Swans, Sugarplums and Satin Slippers (Scholastic, 1991), both of which contain plots for several ballets. The narrative flows along smoothly, supplying all of the important plot lines in an entertaining manner, thus giving young fans a good understanding of the ballet when they see it. The illustrations are less effective; the full-page oil paintings are done in an impressionistic style and appear hazy due to the simulated stage lighting. Also, the print is too small for the layout. Nevertheless, the book is an adequate purchase for libraries in which ballet is popular.
Kay McPherson, Central Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, GA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6, younger for reading aloud. The interpretation of Perrault's "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale through Petipa's choreography and set to Tchaikovsky's score has long been a favorite vehicle for introducing young people to the ballet. Horosko's scene-by-scene representation of the story presents young balletomanes with a visually rich understanding of both the tale's story line and how the music and the dancers' movements interpret the tale. Doney's lush oil illustrations are marked by rich color and sparkling accents, yet they are soft and unfocused, maintaining an otherworldly feeling. A lovely addition to library shelves. Linda Ward-Callaghan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689318855
• ISBN-13: 978-0689318856
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,817,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.