BALLERINA MOMENTS: INSIGHTS, IDEAS & INSPIRATION ABOUT DANCE

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Ballerinas are like dancing flowers, according to this beguiling picture book.

The Once Upon a Dance book production team pairs colored drawings of ballerinas (and a few male dancers) with reflections on the resonances between them and flowering plants, providing some self-help lessons for young dancers. A picture of a ballerina, resplendent in a daisy-petal tutu and gazing down at an actual daisy sprouting bravely through a crack in the pavement, illustrates the lesson that, like a plant weathering a harsh environment, a dancer must persevere through grueling practice, injuries, and auditions. A ballerina picking at a salad with her chopsticks conveys the wisdom that, just as plants need fertile soil and water, dancers need good nutrition. A ballerina wreathed in morning-glory vines and poised en pointe at the barre teaches readers that dancers must understand the physical balance of forces impinging on their bodies to stand upright, as plants do. A trio of ballerinas, one with a tattoo sleeve and another with a prosthetic right leg, urges readers to cultivate their unique attributes rather than hiding them. Two dancers entwined in a pas de deux demonstrate the importance of teamwork, which is reflected by a garden of many flowering species. And a tableau of a leaping Japanese dancer suggests that, like the evanescent cherry blossom, the beauty of a dance resides in its most fleeting and fragile moments. The slender tome concludes with a list of questions (“What’s one dance-related skill or technique you’ve improved recently?”) to reflect upon. Aimed squarely at current or aspiring ballet students who like flowers, the book offers encouragement to hopefuls with brief snippets of text couched in reassuring fortune-cookie aphorisms (“When rehearsals get tough or setbacks feel overwhelming, remind yourself that each challenge helps you grow stronger and more resilient”). The artwork is sumptuous, featuring delicate blossoms and realistic, though glamorized, dancers, all depicted using vibrant pastels and exquisite line drawings that evoke grace and movement. The result is a warm-hearted homage to ballet and a feast for the eyes.

A winsome, gorgeously illustrated meditation that will fire the imaginations of budding ballerinas. 

—Kirkus Reviews

Rating this gem with five stars feels like underselling it. It's a heart-to-heart in book form, perfect for anyone looking for a blend of cheer, challenge, and charm. Whether you're a dancer or just someone dancing through life's chaos, "Ballerina Wisdom" is like finding your rhythm in the most unexpected places.

—Goodreads  

A beautifully illustrated love letter from a professional dancer to dancers aspiring to fulfill their own dance dreams. The pages are full of practical and inspirational advice, common reminders, and new, insightful perspectives. Excited for the upcoming books in the series! 

—Dancers On Purpose

A book for young, pre-professional dancers! This beautifully illustrated book gives helpful hints and strategies to navigate the rigorous training to become a young ballerina. Tips for self-care, keeping a level head, accepting criticism, mental preparation for performance are all discussed in positive and supportive terms. This practical guide is inspirational and is a "must" to be included in your dance bag! 

—Amazon Customer 

Cracking open "Ballerina Wisdom" by Once Upon a Dance feels like stumbling into a secret garden—a place where every turn unveils a new, heartfelt nugget of wisdom. This isn't your motivational book. Nope, it's more like a laid-back, no-pressure chat with a mentor who's seen it all and is here to spill the tea on navigating life with grace, but without the sugarcoating. 

“Ballerina Wisdom" is an absolute gem that every dancer should have in their collection. This book serves as the perfect gift to inspire and uplift dancers, especially in the moments leading up to a performance. 

—Amazon Customer