FICTION

This Is Ballet: And Other ­Classical Dances

by Rekha S Rajan (text) & illus. by Chris Park
Penguin Workshop/Rise X. (This Is Dance). Mar. 2025. 24p. Board $8.99. ISBN 9780593754160.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1–This effective board book introduces children to classical dance styles from around the world, inspiring them to pirouette and leap as they turn each page. Along with basic ballet terms, the book highlights other traditional dances, including Bharatanatyam: “The classical dancers in South India dance to the rhythm of drums to tell their stories. They wear bells on their ankles and bangles on their wrists to keep the beat.” The diverse illustrations will captivate readers, while a soft palette complements the graceful depictions of movement and expression. A glossary at the end enhances understanding, and the message that dance is for everyone is beautifully conveyed to the very young.
VERDICT An essential purchase for most libraries that celebrates global diversity and the joy of dance.
Reviewed by Brooke Newberry , Jan 01, 2025

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