The Young Dancer (Young Enthusiast) [Hardcover]

Darcey Bussell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1994 | Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Young Enthusiast

Progressing from simple steps and basic positions, to the barre, center work, and pointes, an instructive text and step-by-step photographs from the Royal Ballet School in London offer sound advice to young dance enthusiasts.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. Written by Bussell, who dances with the Royal Ballet, and Linton, who teaches at the Royal Ballet School, this well-conceived book introduces children to the positions, movements, traditions, and history of ballet. Both the text and the illustrations are unusually clear and precise. Like a good ballet teacher, the book emphasizes the proper placement of the body for various set positions and steps. Dorling Kindersley's signature visual style works quite effectively here, with full-color photographs throughout. The many figures on a double-page spread appear silhouetted against the white background, clearly showing each line of the body. Captions explain the finer points and feelings of each movement. Also used throughout the book are photos illustrating choreography, performances, and activities in the studio and backstage. Appendixes include an address list of American dance companies and a glossary of ballet terms, particularly useful because they are mainly French. Carolyn Phelan

Review

...this well-conceived book introduces children to the positions, movements, traditions, and history of ballet. -- Booklist

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (March 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564584682
• ISBN-13: 978-1564584687
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect gift for the little ballerina, August 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Young Dancer (Young Enthusiast) (Hardcover)

"The young dancer" is really the perfect gift for a young girl - age group 10-15. The English ballerina Darcey Bussell has indeed not forgotten her own beginnings and talks to youngsters in a most sensible manner. Not only technical matters are explained, but also such intricacies to the beginner, as practise dress, hair-dos, shoes, etc. The young dancers posing for the excellent photos make it very easy for youngsters to identify with. On the whole, a very inspiring book.

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Young Dancer in us all, September 8, 2008

By 

Renee Huskey "I learn something new every day." (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Dancer (Hardcover)

Darcy Bussell begins The Young Dancer with, "I first started going to ballet classes on Saturday mornings when I was only five years old," and sets the stage (as it were) for her readers, letting them know that she has indeed "been there and done that." (At time of publication, Ms. Bussell was a principal ballerina for London's Royal Ballet.) And while the title may suggest that this is a book on general dance, it clearly and singularly focuses on classical ballet, with only two of its 64 pages dedicated to any other dance form.

Following the formula of Dorling Kindersley's (DK Publishing) phenomenally successful series, The Young Dancer is filled will exceptional photographs, and together with the clear, detailed text, the book successfully introduces readers to everything from achieving perfect position for a pirouette to preparing for a performance (sorry, couldn't help myself), all the while impressing upon its reader the need for practice and more practice. And while no one is going to learn the finer points of ballet from a book, this volume certainly highlights and clarifies not only active actual dancing, but demonstrates interesting peripheral points as well, such as how to darn a pointe shoe, or how to apply stage makeup for a performance. Overall, an attractive and motivating read for any "young dancer."