More Wonderful Books on Dance

Here are two additional books, two great favorites of mine, that somehow feel off my post.

Beautiful Ballerina

By Marilyn Nelson and photographed by our own Susan Kuklin

 

 

A talented team of children's book creators craft a beautiful, stirring tribute to the grace and power of prima ballerinas everywhere.
Every little girl has the dream to become a prima ballerina! On today's ever-changing cultural stage, ballerinas come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. To celebrate the beauty of black ballerinas, here is a lush photographic picture book with a brilliant poetic narrative, brought to young readers by two amazing talents. The minimal text balances the harmony of the photos and demonstrates the joy of movement.

The photographs in this award-winning book took my breath away. I hear a wonderful presentation Susan did at an award panel several years ago.

 

 

Reaching for Dreams: A Ballet from First Rehearsal to Opening Night with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater

 

Go backstage with dancers from the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as they learn and perform a new ballet. Drawing on hours of conversation and observation, Susan Kuklin gives a private look at the dancers goals, disappointments, and triumphs; the endless hard work; and the tension and magic of opening night.

I have a special feeling for this book as my grandson Benjamin Avram at age ten  went to the Alvin Ailey School to do African Dancing and ended up taking dance classes in ballet, tap and modern through his senior year in highschool.