The Kingfisher Treasury of Ballet Stories

Kingfisher Treasury Of Stories

by Caroline Plaisted

Budding young prima ballerinas will relish this spirited collection of thirteen classic and modern favorites, including "Bravo" by Patricia Lee Gauch, "Out of Step" by Jean Richardson, and "The Hookywalker Dancers" by Margaret Mahy.

Genres: Short Stories, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1998

About the author

Caroline Plaisted is a British author and editor with a deep passion for children's literature. She grew up in London and initially pursued a career in ballet, attending the Royal Ballet School. However, her love for books led her to work at a charity promoting reading across the UK, followed by a role at the House of Commons. She then found her true calling in children's publishing, later moving to the BBC where she managed both children's and adult books. After the birth of her first child, she became a freelance book editor and started writing children's books. Caroline also edited a magazine for English teachers and a regional publication about Kent, where she now resides.

Reviews

[Soleil Jose]

I love reading children’s books published before or during the early 2000s because it was such a different world. SO politically incorrect yet so nostalgic and minimalistic. The only other thoughts I had whilst reading this was that ballet (yes, even when you begin at three years of age) is nothing as romantic as this and everything child boot camp.

[Natalie Tobar]

Before you read this book, you should definitely know that this isn't just one whole story. There is numerous different types of stories in it. One of my favorites was about a teddy bear that took care of a little girl. The teddy bear took the little girl to ballet class every week. Soon he met a doll who also took care of a little girl. They each spoke about how talented their child was, then they realized that they were talking about another little girl. I found that story hilarious. I recommend this book to young readers because this book wasn't really for advanced readers. Overall, this book was fascinating!

[Galilea Estrada]

I like this book because I like how it has a lot of ballet stories inside and how little girls to teenagers go trough all stories of ballet.

[ashley]

i liked them all but my favourite was the one abt the girl who wrote abt ballet in an essay even tho she'd only been to 4 lessons and after her teacher invited her to her church's ballet group or wtv, the girl had to do whatever it took to hide the fact that she lied abt being good at ballet...it was very sweet and i was rooting for her the entire time

[Laura]

Precioso libro para todos los amantes de la danza. Se compone de diversos cuentos escritos en inglés sobre temas muy cotidianos que resultarán muy familiares a cualquier bailarín de ballet. No es necesario tener un nivel de inglés muy avanzado, se entiende todo perfectamente. Lo recomiendo.

[Charlotte]

No need to ever re-read this, but it passed a few idle moments pleasantly enough.

[Amanda]

Swan Lake has been one of my favorite stories forever, so I loved rereading this story along with all the others. I also appreciated the ballet history lesson at the end.

[Gabby]

I was first given this book when I was much younger and enjoyed the stories. Some of them are far better than others. It unfortunately falls flat with a couple of them but I love that they fight the boundaries of boys in ballet, skill does not come instantly and also that you do not have to be skinny to dance. I enjoy the differences and had a good giggle at the Horrid Henry short. I will just say that the last story let it down slightly as was not at the same level as some of the others. An easy read for all those who love dance!

[Luna]

A collection of very short stories, fourteen in total, about ballet. They're also not all about a young girl dancing in class or performances, either. There are stories about boys dancing, about young girls wanting to dance, and young girls and boys not wanting to do ballet at all.

I liked the stories, simply because they were different from the standard ballet schtick. I liked 'Teddy Robinson Goes to the Dancing Class' most- it's about a stuffed bear who goes to a ballet class with the girl who owns him. In between the text you can sense the girl is actually awful, but the teddy bear thinks she's the star of the class and best of the lot. Very touching and heart warming.

[Rafaella]

I read most of the stories from this book and it is really good as it explains itself very well

[Fariza]

Great children's book.