November 2022 Book of the Month | Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month November 2022
Each of the seven vividly told stories by award winning story-teller Vivian French has deep magic running through it. They have all been adapted to create famous ballets and Lauren O’Hara’s images brilliantly capture elements of how each explores that magic through movement and music.
The sinister undertones of Swan Lake, the weaving of the spell that binds Sleeping Beauty for 100 years, the love story at the heart of Giselle and the power of the Firebird will enchant all those who read or listen to these powerful stories.
The Magic of the Ballet: Seven Classic Stories Synopsis
From Swan Lake to The Firebird, and The Nutcracker to Coppelia, Vivian French breathes new life into seven ballet favourites in her timeless, gloriously-immersive retellings. Her words are perfectly complemented by Lauren O'Hara's characterful illustrations, which strike the perfect balance between classic and contemporary, and the result is a treasury which shimmers with the magic of the ballet ... certain to leave readers of all ages spellbound!
'Illustrator O'Hara strikes a balance between classic and contemporary styles to entice ballet fans old and new.' - Charlotte Eyre,The Bookseller
Author
About Vivian French
Vivian French has been writing for over thirty years, and has published over 300 books for children. She is passionate about illustration and is a co-founder of Picture Hooks – a project that mentors emerging illustrators. She has taught illustration at ECA for over 14 years and is now a visiting lecturer. Vivian has an MBE for services to literature, literacy, illustration and the arts. Before she was a writer, Vivian was an actor and a story teller; she still loves telling stories, especially fairy stories and folk tales..
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