Ballet

Charlotte has never even seen ballet but lately she's been talking non-stop about it.  So today we dug out an old leotard and some ballet books that were Madeleine's.  In the kitchen, using chairs as a barre we practiced plies.  We followed the pictures in the book showing feet and hand positions.  Charlotte had me hold her leg up like the couple on one of the pages.  I think it might be time to sign up for a dance class!

My Ballet Book

Kate Castle 1998

This book covers everything about ballet- the positions, the performance, stage design, costumes, makeup, backstage, dance stars, the history of ballet, the music, etc...

 

Then we read through the stories of some of the most famous ballets:  Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Coppelia, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.  There are all sorts of tidbits about costumes and sets and ballet traditions.  The book opens with an introduction by the ballerina Darcy Bussell.

DK Read & Listen: Illustrated Book of Ballet Stories (DK Read & Listen)

Barbara Newman 1997

illustrated by Gill Tomblin

A Summertime Song

We recently had a birthday in our house.  Complete with colorful hanging lanterns, vintage tablecloths, pennant banners and of course punch in the big round punch bowl with little cups.  I even made a striped play canopy to hang from one of the backyard trees.  Turning 3 years old never was so much fun!

A Summertime Song

Irene Haas 1997

The next day, after tea with leftover birthday cake, we read about this summertime party with a baby bird, madam mouse, inchworm and a lost doll. Ssshhh, don't tell, it was a surprise party for Mr. Owl! I don't love it as much as The Maggie B, also by Irene Haas, but it has nice oversize illustrations and a sweet heroine.