Where’s The Ballerina? by Anna
Claybourne, illustrated by Abigail Goh (Quarto Group UK) HB RRP $19.9
ISBN 9781782404507
Reviewed by
Daniela Andrews
Some of the greatest
stories in the world are presented as ballets, but their meaning can be lost amongst
young audiences. ‘Don Quixote’, ‘Swan Lake’ … even ‘The Nutcracker’ can seem
confusing. When I first picked up this charming, full-colour picture book, I thought
it would simply be a look-and-find, ‘Where’s Wally’ style of activity
book. I was glad to discover it was much
more than that – it is also a kid-friendly reference guide to ten different
ballet productions.
The ballets
presented in the book are: ‘Swan Lake’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Giselle’, ‘The
Nutcracker’, ‘La Bayadère’,
‘Coppélia’, ‘A
Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Don Quixote’ and ‘Cinderella’.
Two double-page spreads are devoted to each ballet. The first is an
introduction. It features a plot synopsis, setting description and full-colour
storyboard, accompanied with text, depicting seven main scenes from the ballet.
The second double-page spread offers the look-and-find activity for that
particular ballet. The illustration for the task is always a scene from that
ballet, and readers need to find 5 - 7 hidden characters from that ballet. (For
example, for ‘The Nutcracker’, they need to find Clara, The Nutcracker Prince,
Dr Drosselmeyer, The Mouse King, The Snow Queen, The Sugar Plum Fairy and
Mother Ginger.) As an added bonus, there is always a hidden peacock lurking
amidst the scene, along with a ballerina in a white tutu. The answers have been
included at the back, and are cleverly presented as darkened stage scenes with spotlights
shining on the hidden characters.
This beautifully
presented hardcover book is suitable for 5–8 year-olds, and would make a
beautiful gift for a child about to start dance lessons or who is generally
interested in ballet.
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