Behind the Scenes at the Ballet: Rehearsing and Performing the Sleeping Beauty

Behind The Scenes At the Ballet is a truly fascinating book that does exactly what it advertises. It takes the reader backstage to see the rehearsal and performance process involved in putting on the ballet Sleeping Beauty. This is one of the best of the ballet books for children that I have read. It is sure to fascinate many young people, even those who claim ballet is "boring". The book begins with a quick retelling of the ballet story of Sleeping Beauty. The first thing that readers will notice is that this version is decidedly different from the Disney version! It then starts with dance class and rehearsal and shows how the ballet is staged. From costumes and shoes to getting dressed and getting ready to perform; from preparing the stage to waiting in the wings for an entrance. Included are step by step illustrations of putting on make-up and pantomiming a scene.Then the book gives a detailed retelling of the story, complete with lavish pictures. The photographs throughout this book are wonderful, and add a great deal to the wealth of information included in the text. From basic ballet terms, to amusing details (do you know what pig's ears are?) this book covers it all.