After my older daughter started taking ballet class (the first activity she chose for herself), my younger daughter wanted in on the action too. My little one got excited every week about waiting in the lobby just so she could catch a glimpse of her sister sous-sus out of the studio. My elder child loves ballet, but in a reserved, quiet way that fits with her personality; my younger child oozes delight and enthusiasm out of every pore. Finally, we found a class for toddlers and picked up a pair of ballet slippers (on clearance, two sizes too big) for my two-year-old. For the entire first day, she refused to take off the slippers, pirouetting (to the best of her abilities) around the house and asking us all repeatedly if we liked her ballet slippers. We do. She fell asleep with them on and awoke to the same routine. Her class starts in a few days, but her excitement is undiminished, and I have a feeling my children’s love of dance is only beginning. Here are some fun ballerina-stories to keep you inspired between lessons.

1. Ballet of the Elephants by Leda Schubert and Robert Andrew Parker
2. Ballet Kitty Ballet Class by Bernette Ford and Sam Williams
3. Ballet School by Naia Bray-Moffatt and David Handley
4. Belinda Begins Ballet, Belinda the Ballerina, Belinda and the Glass Slipper, Belinda in Paris by Amy Young
5. A Bunny in the Ballet by Robert Beck
6. Dogs Don’t Do Ballet by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie
7. Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella, Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker, Ella Bella Ballerina and the Sleeping Beauty, Ella Bella Ballerina and Swan Lake by James Mayhew
8. First Ballet by Deanna Caswell and Elizabeth Matthews
9. Going to My Ballet Class by Susan Kuklin
10. Lili at Ballet by Rachel Isadora
11. Miss Lina’s Ballerinas, Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Prince, Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Wicked Wish by Grace Maccarone and Christine Davenier
12. On Your Toes: A Ballet ABC by Rachel Isadora
13. Tallulah’s Nutcracker, Tallullah’s Solo, Tallulah’s Toe Shoes, Tallulah’s Tutu by Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger
14. We Love Ballet! by Jane Feldman

 

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