Time for Ballet [Hardcover]

Adele Geras (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Tilly loves her ballet class. What could be more fun? She gets to wear special clothes, try out fancy new positions, and do her best cat impression. But, when it’s time for the big recital, Tilly learns another aspect of ballet: the preperformance jitters!

Perfect for the beginning ballerina, this gentle text combined with exuberant and warm illustrations captures the joy and excitement brought on by everything from wearing your first tutu to practicing your first plié.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2--Six girls and one boy at ballet school get changed, do their warm-up exercises, and practice for their recital. Tilly describes how she then goes home to practice being a "leapy cat, a curled-up-to-sleepy cat, a stretchy cat, a pounce-on-a-mousey cat." On the day of the show, Mom helps her dress up in her costume and, in spite of a little case of nerves, she is wonderful on stage. The audience is appropriately enthusiastic and Tilly eagerly looks forward to her next class. As much about movement as ballet, this warm story aptly conveys a child's love of dance. The soft watercolor art with lots of white space showcases the youngsters who are eager if not yet accomplished. This delightful offering is a lovely way to introduce children to the joys of moving to music while helping them overcome pre-performance jitters.--Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. A real charmer for young ballet dancers, this picture book shows the day-to-day work of a beginning dancer as well as the pleasure of a successful performance. Tilly, who looks about five years old, joins her fellow dance students in dressing for class and practicing the five positions, curtsies and bows, plies and jetes, and moving like butterflies and dinosaurs. At home during the week, Tilly practices her part for an upcoming show: "a leapy cat, a curled-up-to-sleepy cat, a stretchy cat / a pounce-on-a-mousey cat." On the day of the performance, the children don their costumes, feel a little nervous, and dance their best before an appreciative audience of their families. Tilly narrates in a fresh, childlike voice as the pictures offer an appealing look at her world. Well-observed details of everyday life create a sense of realism, and the artist's affection for her subject shines through in the warm colors and appealing drawings. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803729782
• ISBN-13: 978-0803729780
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Jerusalem in 1944 and educated at Roedean School, Brighton and St Hilda's college, Oxford.
I've been writing books for children and young adults since 1976 and have published more than 90 titles.
I've also written four adult novels, published by Orion Books.
My website is at http://www.adelegeras.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A BOOK TO KEEP SMALL DANCERS ON THEIR TOES, April 25, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Time for Ballet (Hardcover)

All young dancers, boys and girls alike, will easily and happily relate to Tilly. This is a little girl who loves her ballet classes so much that her Mom calls her "Tutu Tilly."

These classes are all excitement and fun for Tilly. She likes the special clothes, especially her pretty pink leotard, and she even enjoys warm-up exercises.

However, there's also a great deal of work to be done because there's a big show coming up. There are all kinds of animals in the show - Howard is a butterfly, Jake is a dinosaur, and Tilly is a cat.

She practices every day because she's determined to dance just like a real cat. Then, as the big day approaches, whoops, she has a funny feeling in her stomach - it's those pre-performance butterflies.

However, everyone knows the show must go on. Illustrator McNicholas perfectly captures the action and excitement of young dancers in her sprightly, colorful paintings.

- Gail Cooke

5.0 out of 5 stars Every dancing girls favorite book, October 19, 2009

By 

M. Philipsen (Des Moines, IA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Time for Ballet (Hardcover)

Time for Ballet is my daughters favorite book since she first checked it out from the library. We checked it out so often that I finally purchased it for her birthday. She loves the story and pictures of a girl who loves dancing as much as herself! I recommend this book to anyone who knows a dancing princess!

5.0 out of 5 stars A book we return to over and over again!, August 12, 2009

By 

J. Marvel (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Time for Ballet (Hardcover)

My daughter loves this book. We have checked it out at least 10 times from the local library. It is by far her favorite ballet book. We started reading it when she was three, and she's still asking for it now when she's almost five.