The Magic of the Ballet: Seven Classic Stories

In this collection of stories, author Vivian French retells seven classic ballet stories: from the renowned Nutcracker and Swan Lake to perhaps lesser-known Coppélia, each retelling weaves an immersive tale from the many re-interpretations each ballet has known, while also trying to remain as close as possible to their originals. The ballets are all also accompanied by introductory pages explaining their origins and featuring anecdotes about the composers, choreographers or dancers who made them famous.

Each story is beautifully complemented by Lauren O’Hara’s illustrations. With a true fairy-tale look to them, the plum sugar fairies of the Nutcracker, Giselle’s dancing ghosts and the thirteen princesses of the Firebird are brought to life with romantic pastel shades on one page and ethereal dark tones on the next, making the reading experience truly magical. The stories are told in turn through full-page illustrations, vignettes and corner borders which give rhythm to the ballets. The Magic of the Ballet is as beautiful as it is engrossing, and would make an ideal gift for any fairy-tale and ballet amateur.

About the Illustrator
Photo of illustrator Lauren O'Hara
Lauren O’Hara is an illustrator. As a child she loved reading fairytales, painting insects and listening to her grandmother’s stories. She studied Art and Illustration at Kingston University and then designed window displays and props for films. Lauren’s career as an illustrator began when her sister Natalia suggested they work together on a picture book, which became Hortense and the Shadow. As
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The Magic of the Ballet - book cover
Author
Illustrator
Publisher
Reviewer
Publication Date
October 2022
Format
Hardback
Pages
152
ISBN
9781406398762