Degas and the Little Dancer

Anholt's Artists

by Laurence Anholt

Marie and her parents are very poor, but she dreams of being the most famous ballerina in the world. Then she meets Edgar Degas at ballet school in Paris and his clay model of her makes Marie's wish come true.

Genres: Art, Picture Books, Childrens, Biography, History, France, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

In a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.

Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.

The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.

Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.

Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".

Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.

Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.

Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.

The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.

Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.

For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story about the artist Edgar Degas and a little girl that he befriends as told through the eyes of a guard at the art museum where a statue of 'The Little Dancer', a portrayal of the little girl, resides.

Marie always wanted to b a ballet dancer so her father, a tailor, and her mother saved money so that she could take the necessary examinations; her father made her a tutu and her mother tied a peach-coloured ribbon in her hair on the day of the exams.

She was excited on the relevant day but there was an incident with a well-dressed man in a top hat that almost spoiled her day as he was constantly shouting at the dancers. She discovered that this was Edgar Degas, a famous painter of dancers and horses.

Marie passed the exams and entered the dance school where Degas was still painting the dancers but not them performing their art, usually chattering, stretching, tying their laces, adjusting their straps and even reading newspapers. Then Marie was about to be given the lead role in the Christmas Ballet at the Opera House when her father became ill.

Marie felt that she had to return home to find work to earn some money to keep the family going, so her dreams of becoming the lead dancer faded. Then Degas stepped in and offered her money if she would pose for him - but without chattering! She duly did so but as a consequence, even though remaining at the school, she missed the Christmas Ballet. However, she did form a friendship with Degas and, with his eyesight failing thus not allowing him to paint so often, he produced a wax sculpture of her. When it was finished she gave him the peach coloured ribbon that she wore.

In due course she received a letter addressed to 'Marie, the little dancer' and it was an invitation for her to attend an art exhibition [the sculpture was his only sculpture to be exhibited in Degas' lifetime when it appeared at the Impressionist Exhibition of 1881]. She and her mother went along only to discover the wax sculpture of herself on display, complete with the peach ribbon tied in her hair. So, without performing, Marie did become the most famous dancer in the world.

This is another enchanting tale in Laurence Anholt's series entitled 'Anholt's Artists' and, once again, it is beautifully illustrated, complete with reproductions of Degas' work.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the work and person of Edgar Degas. His paintings are a delight in the art world and he inspires ballerinas and painters alike.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Շատ հավես միտք էր՝ գրքի միջոցով ծանոթացնել արվեստի գլուխգործոցները փոքրիկներին💜

[Cruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author/Illustrator: Laurence Anholt
First Published: 1996

How do you make Art accessible to children? Tell them stories about the artist, his subject, or the World around them.

And that's what Anholt does so well.

In his story of Degas, Anholt takes a single piece Little Dancer of Fourteen Years and weaves a factional story of Marie van Goethem.


from wikimedia

Anholt engages his readers in the story of a wannabe ballerina who, while unable to continue her studies due to financial restraints, becomes the most famous ballerina in the world by posing for Degas. Anholt discusses (and shows) Degas' artistic style, and his troubled relationship with the dancers. We, like Marie, learn to accept and understand him.



This is a beautiful series of books. And "Degas and the Little Dancer" is a beautiful inclusion.

Anholt's Artists:
Camille and the Sunflowers
Degas and the Little Dancer
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail
Leonardo and the Flying Boy
The Magical Garden of Claude Monet
Matisse the King of Color
Cézanne and the Apple Boy

Age
Read aloud: 5+
Read yourself: 8+

References:
w'pedia
Anholt's website http://www.anholt.co.uk/anholts-artists/

(ISBN 978-0-7641-3852-2)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read several of the books in Laurence Anholt's series on artists. He features many of the most popular artists of the nineteenth century and condenses their life stories and famous works of art into a short tale that will entertain and inform children.

I love that he doesn't just offer a biographical sketch, but instead weaves a tale that will keep a child engaged. His illustrations have a unique style and seem to fit in perfectly with the age of the story. Also, I love how he incorporates actual images of the famous sculpture into the tale, rendering it even more real to the reader.

This story is a bit more melancholy and subdued than some of the others we've read in this series, but it tells the true story of a little girl who wished to become the most famous dancer in the world. Although she did not achieve such greatness on the stage, she is arguably the most recognizable dancer in the world, forever immortalized in her famous pose.

I had the great fortune to see The Little Dancer at the Louvre a few years ago and then I was able to visit the Musée d'Orsay yesterday and saw more of Edgar Degas's artwork. I purchased this book at the Museum giftshop, as our local library only has a spanish-language version of it and I really wanted to read it with our girls.

I learned at the museum yesterday that although M. Degas had created over 150 sculptures (which were later discovered in his studios), only the dancer featured in this story was ever put on exhibition. I was fascinated by his other works, too, especially his sculptures of horses.

The author's note at the end offers a welcome expanded version of the events that are described in the book. We really enjoyed reading this book together and I will certainly look for more of his books at our local library.

[Shh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you or your child is an art lover Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt is for you. I purchased this to use in my classroom years ago back in 1999. Never in my wildest dreams did I allow myself to believe I would one day read this to my son or daughter, but I just did. And the most amazing thing is that my daughter picked this out of a stack of books for me to read her. My daughter is only two, so the story is a bit wordy for her, but again the amazing thing is that she loved it. The story is that of a poor girl, Marie, who dreams of being the most famous ballerina in all of Paris. She reaches for her dreams and, in so doing, she meets the famous painter, Degas. Their interactions are poignant and feel authentic even though his temper is another thing he is famous for sharing. Marie does not reach the heights she hoped for on the stage, but rather in museums all over the world. The illustrations are gorgeous, but what I love the most are the reproductions of the real art work of Degas that also liter the pages. I have always admired the artist of this era and am lucky enough to have seen the real Little Dancer many, many times, and I look forward to reading this many more times with my daughter, and when she is old enough we will make the drive to the "big city" to see the statue together. I know just where to look. I love this book...

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book about an artist by Laurence Anholt that I read -- many years ago, long before I had a child for whom to build a library. I loved this book the first time I read it, and when I re-read it recently, I still love it, so I bought it.

Now that I have a collection of Anholt's artist books, I can appreciate how the pictures are illustrated in the style of his subject. Since he has written many books about artist, Laurence Anholt must be a gifted and versatile artist himself. It is worth buying his books for the artwork alone. However, that is not necessary. His handling of an incident in the artist's life, in this book Degas' meeting of the little ballerina whose image would become his most famous sculpture, humanizes the artist in a way my college art history classes never did.

[Leah West · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s definitely interesting how a middle-aged man has nothing better to do than literally STARE at a statue of a ballerina ALL DAY, and by looking at her, he somehow knows her name and entire story? And in the first illustration of Degas shows him as a bigger man, and the rest show him really skinny. I personally liked the story of the ballerina herself, but unfortunately, the small amount that I liked this book could not overcome how I couldn’t get over the changing appearances in the illustrations, and the way her story is being told.😕To sum it up, I disliked it more than I liked it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This semi-biographical story alternates between the lives of the French sculptor and painter Degas, Marie the subject of his most famous work, and the museum attendant guarding it.

The alternating timelines is very unique for a children’s book, and helps give context and connection to the artist and his material.

The book did an excellent job of capturing Degas’ personality, his major life event of going blind, and the notable elements of his work- including real fabric with his statues and painting dancers doing everyday tasks. The illustrations themselves were reminiscent of his impressionistic style and several reproductions were included as well.

While Marie does not go on to become a famous dancer, she is remembered as one through Degas’ work.

The only thing I didn’t like is that the inclusion of the real life sculpture amongst the illustrations was very jarring (think Who Framed Roger Rabbit or Space Jam). In the end I felt like exposing the readers to the art was more important than maintaining consistent visuals.

This book was purchased after a childhood trip to a Degas exhibition at the Joslyn Art museum. I wish I had read more of this author’s work as a child and would recommend this to anyone who wants theirs to have an exposure to art and understand it’s connectedness to history, it’s link between artist and subject, and it’s transitivity through time.

[Linda]

A story about the model for one of Degas' most famous works, his sculpture of the little dancer. It tells the story of Marie, a girl of modest background who dreams of becoming a famous prima ballerina. She works hard and gets into the prestigious ballet school, and is even on track to getting the lead role in the Christmas show, but her father gets sick and soon the family can't afford Marie's lessons. To augment their income, she agrees to model for the famously cranky artist. She stands for hours in uncomfortable poses, even though it leaves her too tired to dance and the money only covers doctors' bills. One night, she asks Degas if she could go home, and he gets angry at her. But, it leads to a moment of honesty between them so that they better understand one another.


I love the drawing style, and the story is a wonderful way to connect children (and, let's face it, adults) to works of art.

[Kari Yergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhat fictionalized story of Marie, perhaps my favorite statue and Degas. I'm looking forward to reading the other 5 books by him I just got at the library but I had to start with this one!

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) drew mostly racehorses, nudes, and dancers. Also into printmaking and photography. Bad tempered, never married, as he began losing he eyesight he turned from oil paintings to large pastel drawings and began modeling with wax and clay. The Little Dancer was the only sculpture of his to be exhibited during his lifetime. The original is in the Louvre which is where I saw it and it made such an impact on me back in around 1987.

[Eske B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

'One sees what one wants to see. It is false, and that falsity is the foundation of art.' ✨️
-Edgar Degas

"The Little Dancer" by Laurence Arnott tells a fascinating story with beautiful pictures, giving us a different view of Edgar Degas. Even though it's a short story, it makes you feel connected to the girl in the tale. I'm excited to see Degas' "Little Dancer" sculpture in Paris next week because of this story. It made me think differently about Degas' art and the girl he depicted. Overall, "The Little Dancer" was an interesting read that made me appreciate both the story and Degas' artwork even more.

[Mrs. Ruigrok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurence Anholt has created a wonderful series of historical fiction storybooks for young readers, about famous artists. This one tells the story of Edgar Degas as well as a story of Marie...one of the young dancers who he painted and also sculpted. A great book to share art history with children.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm no art historian, but I really enjoy this series by Laurence Anholt for making famous artists and their work so engaging. Degas sounds like a grump, though I suppose it makes sense with losing his eyesight. A painter who can no longer see the canvas he paints must be beyond frustrated. Nicely written.

[Jasmine Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

the story is about a girl named Marie who dreamt of becoming a famous ballerina, but with little money it was hard . She starts modeling for the artist Edgar Degas, who is known for his paintings of dancers and horses. When his beautiful sculpture of "The Little Dancer" is finished, Marie's dream finally comes true.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a little girl. My cousins were ballerinas and my aunt had a reproduction of The Little Dancer by Degas. I remember looking at this book many times, having it read to me and my cousins during sleepovers, and trying to stand strong and tall like Marie for as long as I could to see if I could do it too. I loved the book then and I love it now.

[Tori Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a winner with my kids, even more than the other Anholt's Artists books we brought home from the library. And what's not to love? The story is compelling and the plot well-rounded, and it includes an artist bio in the back and photographs of his real art sprinkled throughout the book. A great introduction to a famous artist and art piece!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely book with wonderful pictures. It's a very sweet story and would make a great gift for a perceptive little girl who dances and appreciates art, and everyone who reads it will want to go and see Degas' little dancer in person at the MOMA.

[Jerod]

I think this story is pretty cool. I enjoyed how the artist was so passionate about making the perfect sculpture, and how the little additions to the sculpture are the biggest parts pushing to the reader how the little things in life go further then anything else you can compare them too

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Degas meets and creates a sculpture of a young girl who wants to be a ballerina.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Edgar Degas’ most famous sculpture ‘the little dancer’ and the story behind it. It would be a great story to read if you were studying Edgar Degas.

[Laura Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and would also be a good way into an Art lesson involving clay and sculptures!

[LivingLoveLearning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great living book which we used this as part of our Art appreciation study of Degas

[Cecilia Barrientos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art, Dance, Ballet, Following your dreams

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's book tells the tale of the artist Degas and the little ballerina he sculpted.

[Alan Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to my art class today while they were working on their drawings. They loved it!

[Yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este fue el primer libro con el que me topé. Tenía 10 años y me hizo darme cuenta de lo maravilloso que es transportarse a través de las palabras. Le tengo un cariño inmenso a este pequeño libro.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful and charming book! The cover alone is almost enough for me to want to buy a copy.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully engaging story behind the famous "Little Dancer" sculpture.

[Earth&Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure I can review fairly as I had an edition with different illustrations. But I enjoyed the edition I got.