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My Pretty Ballerina: Saturday Is Ballet Day!
My Pretty Ballerina helps Jordan, the new student in her ballet class, learn the basic five positions and overcome her nervousness
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2018
This was a book that we had as younger children and although I think there is more behind the story of My Pretty Ballerina I cannot remember it right now. Anyway along with us taking some ballet classes this book spoke to us a bit.
The story is quite brief and just an episode in which one eager ballerina befriends a new girl and helps to introduce her to the dance. And at the same time there is just a bit of an educational slant for the reader whether they know a bit of ballet or not.
The pictures are bright and colorful while capturing every character quite well in personality. And in the back there is an index that shows some of the steps for readers who are interested.
All in all this is a great book for any young ballet fans and one that they will truly cherish.
The story is quite brief and just an episode in which one eager ballerina befriends a new girl and helps to introduce her to the dance. And at the same time there is just a bit of an educational slant for the reader whether they know a bit of ballet or not.
The pictures are bright and colorful while capturing every character quite well in personality. And in the back there is an index that shows some of the steps for readers who are interested.
All in all this is a great book for any young ballet fans and one that they will truly cherish.
November 16, 2016
When a new student joins the class the pretty ballerina helps her learn the steps. Their mutual love of ballet helps them form a strong friendship.
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I had this book when I was a child and I loved it! Rereading it now... I still love it! The pictures look like their done in marker. I think they are so cute! It teaches the five positions and a few dance moves as well as the French names for them. A helpful visual chart and pronunciation guide is included in the back of the book. The perfect book for little dancers!
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I had this book when I was a child and I loved it! Rereading it now... I still love it! The pictures look like their done in marker. I think they are so cute! It teaches the five positions and a few dance moves as well as the French names for them. A helpful visual chart and pronunciation guide is included in the back of the book. The perfect book for little dancers!
February 16, 2022
Only childhood nostalgia could bring this up to 5 stars, but I have it in spades! I was randomly struck by the memory of this book last night, which took me about fifteen minutes of searching to remember the title, but to my delight I found a couple of readings on YouTube so I could revisit every page. Until today I had no idea that it was tie-in merchandise for a doll -- as a kid I just rolled with everyone calling her "My Pretty Ballerina," I guess. Who needs a real name?
Anyway, it's everything I remember adoring when I myself was a brand-new dancer who dreamed of having beautiful pink lace-up ballet slippers like these girls (a dream that did not come to fruition). I was so enamored with the pictures of all the girls in class, each wearing their own unique jewel-toned leotard, some with differently colored tights and/or blue shoes as well. I especially wanted an outfit like the teacher's -- a sheer, gauzy skirt over the basic uniform.
The actual story is sweet and introduces a nice theme of how children can teach/learn from each other, but the biggest thing I remember from this book was studying the demonstrations of first through fifth position -- not least because when we were shown how to do first position in class, when I was probably 5, I tried my best to get my feet into the same perfect 180 degree angle shown in the picture, until the teacher gently told me to try more of a V starting out. The French terms I learned from this book, like jeté, would also come in handy throughout my dance career, though I ended up in tap & jazz rather than ballet.
Anyway, it's everything I remember adoring when I myself was a brand-new dancer who dreamed of having beautiful pink lace-up ballet slippers like these girls (a dream that did not come to fruition). I was so enamored with the pictures of all the girls in class, each wearing their own unique jewel-toned leotard, some with differently colored tights and/or blue shoes as well. I especially wanted an outfit like the teacher's -- a sheer, gauzy skirt over the basic uniform.
The actual story is sweet and introduces a nice theme of how children can teach/learn from each other, but the biggest thing I remember from this book was studying the demonstrations of first through fifth position -- not least because when we were shown how to do first position in class, when I was probably 5, I tried my best to get my feet into the same perfect 180 degree angle shown in the picture, until the teacher gently told me to try more of a V starting out. The French terms I learned from this book, like jeté, would also come in handy throughout my dance career, though I ended up in tap & jazz rather than ballet.
February 18, 2024
This is a good book for any kids who is interested in ballet. I think finding diversity in this book may be challenging because it is targeted to two different races. Although I think during the time of this book being published it was pretty diverse for that time but I am not sure that it would best fit now days practices in schools.
September 10, 2025
My pretty ballerina loves balle and is always the first to class. When a new student arrives, she shows here the moves. I like that the book also shares a picture of the moves with the names.
March 20, 2012
I remember reading this book over and over as a little girl. I found the art so pretty and even as I grew out of my girly stage and into a tomboy I enjoyed going back to this one for quite a few years. I finally let it go when the cover and the first few pages fell off the staples.
November 18, 2012
I loved listening and reading this story when I was younger!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews