LoveReading4Kids Says
Yara loves ballet more than anything, ever since she first stumbled into a ballet class by mistake age four. Her family move a lot because of her dad’s job but now at last they’re staying put which means she can attend Miss Diamond’s ballet school.
It’s bliss, everything Yara has dreamed off. She makes friends and learns all the major ballet positions, but then her newfound ballet class is threatened when Miss Diamond’s grumpy landlady threatens to close the studio. Yara comes up with a rescue plan, with everything resting on a performance of The Sleeping Beauty.
With an irresistible cast of characters – keen and not-so-keen ballerinas – and the insight into dancing and the camaraderie of performance that only a professional can bring (author Yasmine Naghdi is principal dancer of the Royal Ballet), this is a must-buy for young ballet fans but will appeal just as much to readers who love friendship stories and stories about putting on a show.
Andrea Reece
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Ballet Besties: Yara's Chance to Dance Synopsis
The first in a fun and inclusive series bringing the joy of dance to all readers, from Principal Ballerina and popular children’s author.
Pirouette your way into the Shimmer & Shine dance studio, where the ballet besties are ready to put on a show!
When Yara joins Shimmer & Shine, a community dance school, she meets lots of other children her age, who are there to either start their training or just for the fun of it. Soon she has a group of ballet besties she loves to dance with. But then Dame Clougston-Wilmott, their grumpy, dance-hating landlady threatens to close the studio.
Suddenly it's up to Yara and her new friends to keep Shimmer & Shine open! Will putting on a performance of The Sleeping Beauty reawaken the Dame's love for dance?
Will Yara have the chance to dance her dream role of Aurora?
And most importantly of all, can the ballet besties save their studio?
Breaking down the traditional idea of what a ballet dancer looks like, this gorgeous black and white illustrated series brings the joy of classical ballet to young readers – featuring characters of all ages, genders, ethnicities and body sizes enjoying dance!
With accessible writing and endmatter, including a glossary and explanations of dance moves, there’s no previous ballet knowledge needed to enjoy Ballet Besties!
About This Edition
About Yasmine Naghdi, Chitra Soundar
Yasmine Naghdi is a Principal of The Royal Ballet and has been dancing with the Company since 2010. Her many roles with The Royal Ballet include Odette/Odile (Swan Lake), Princess Aurora (The Sleeping Beauty), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet) and The Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker). She has performed all over the world and is passionate about showing ballet is for everyone.
Chitra Soundar is a writer and dreamer of many things. As well as writing books, Chitra is a speaker, oral storyteller and screenwriter. Her stories are inspired by her family, her childhood in India, which was filled with epics and folktales, and her travels around the world. Chitra has performed at literary festivals across the globe, telling stories and introducing the magic of writing to children everywhere. www.chitrasoundar.com/
More About Yasmine Naghdi, Chitra Soundar
