 The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage by Edgar Degas is brought to life in this large-format picture book that will appeal to young dancers. Laura, a budding ballet student, is late to a dress rehearsal at the opera house and is transported in a dream to 19th century Paris, where she dances with the ballerinas in Degas’ painting. The story concludes with Degas’ painting and illuminating notes about the artist, his works, and where to see his pictures in Paris, New York, and around the world. Brightly colored pastel paintings are reminiscent of Degas’ masterpiece. mjw |
| Title: Little Ballerina: A Children’s Book Inspired by Degas Author: Helene Kerillis Illustrator: Lucie Albon Publisher: Prestel Publishing Copyright: 2011 Original Language: French Translator: Cynthia Hall, Stephanskirchen Original Title: Mysteres en Coulisse Original Publisher: L’Elan Vert, Paris Original Copyright: 2009 ISBN: 978-3-7913-7081-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Paris, France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Subjects: Ballerinas, Ballet, Paris, Edgar Degas, France, Impressionism |
Little Ballerina: A Children’s Book Inspired by Degas
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As a boy, Wu Daozi (689-759), often considered to be China’s greatest painter, was taught calligraphy, but his brush did not cooperate. Instead he painted squiggles, twists, and dots that became butterflies, horses, flowers, and clouds that came to life. People traveled from all over to admire his work. One day, the emperor asked him to paint a mural on the walls of the palace. This masterpiece took years to finish and revolutionized Chinese painting. Ink, watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations capture the beauty of Chinese art and culture. An author’s note provides background information on Wu Daozi’s life and artistic techniques. mjw
Teenage Veda, who studies classical Indian dance Bharatanatyam, is injured in a car accident and her leg has to be amputated below the knee. She is devastated, but an American doctor understands her love of dance and designs a special prosthetic limb for her. Veda starts dancing all over again. She meets Govinda, a student teacher, who shows her a new way to bring joy to her dancing and who becomes her love interest. This enthralling story of Veda’s journey and of familial relationships in modern India is told in verse that captures the fascination of India. mjw
Ten-year-old Yannick leaves Paris to stay with his aunt and uncle at their inn in Provence. He is excited to go because Provence is where Cezanne, “the greatest painter in the world,” painted his picture. He works in the inn, setting tables, clearing tables, filling carafes of water, and cutting bread. Uncle Bruno teaches him to cook and make chocolate mousse and creme brulee. When a famous painter visits the inn and Yannick accidentally throws the drawing the painter scribbled on the paper tablecloth into the fireplace, he follows him back to his chateau to ask for another drawing. Yannick thinks the artist is Cezanne, but the artist signs another name, Picasso. Soft watercolor illustrations decorate the charming description of the culture of 1960s Provence. mjw
Minnie, a fashionable teacup-sized Chihuahua, is a little dog with big style. She does everything with her owner, Francoise. They like to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, go to their favorite bistro for lunch, and rice their bicycle in the Jardin du Luxembourg. One day, Minnie is invited to the big Paris fashion show but she gets separated from her owner and lost in the chaos of a busy, noisy runway show. The pampered pup becomes the star of the show when a model wearing a wedding dress picks her up and struts down the runway. The model and Minnie meet the flash of a photographer’s camera at the end of the runway and the photo is published in the newspaper the next day. A gorgeous Paris backdrop and adorable outfits make this beautifully illustrated tale perfect for young girls. cc
Lump and Big Dog do not get along. When Lump gets the opportunity to get a break from Big Dog, he eagerly tags along on a trip to France with his master David. At the villa in France, Lump meets the famous painter, Pablo Picasso, and new playmates, Yan the dog and Esmeralda the goat. Picasso is positively enchanted with Lump, whom he calls Lumpito, the two become soulmates, and Lumpito refuses to leave. This charmingly illustrated book is based on the true story of Picasso’s love for a dachshund named Lumptio who became the subject of countless paintings and drawings. cc
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