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| ISBN: 9780764167973Hardcover $14.99 Ages 4-8 |
My thoughts: I believe children should be introduced to classical music at an early age. Appreciation for beautiful music will afford them many moments of delight, enchantment, imagination, relaxation, and joy through the years. The younger they are exposed to beautiful music the more their minds, emotions, and bodies will embrace the beauty. Also being introduced gently to the works of Shakespeare nudges them toward the classics in literature.
Little Ella Bella is a wee little ballerina and this time she meets Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and learns to let her imagination soar as her feet prance and her body twirls. She learns the story. She delights in the music. She is a lovely little girl embracing beauty with her heart, mind, and body. And she is being allowed to be a child and a lovely little girl.
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| Ella, Puck, and little fairies fly across the night sky. |
The illustrations are beautifully done in whimsical light strokes feathering through the pages in lovely soft pastels giving the whole a dreamy feel to the reader. The story, while introducing the young to a classic, is done beautifully using little Ella Bella who dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. Little Ella truly floats through the story immersed with Puck and the other fairies and elves.
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| After her dream dance, Ella is alone on the stage and her lovely flowers are beside her. |
I suggest that parents (or teachers in a classroom or library setting) read the story, share the pictures, and listen to the music. (Note: Music is not provided with the book, but do provide it for your little ones.) Let your young audience experience A Midsummer Night's Dream for themselves and see little Ella Bella in their mind's eye as she whirls and twirls.
GIVEAWAY - 2 Winners
#1: Entire 5-book Series Ella Bella Ballerina
#2: 1 Copy Midsummer Night's Dream
#1: Entire 5-book Series Ella Bella Ballerina
#2: 1 Copy Midsummer Night's Dream
Begins August 29 & ENDS September 21 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.
Author/illustrator, James Mayhew exquisitely illustrated A Midsummer Night's Dream with keen imagination and colorful art. He is an award-winning author and illustrator of many children's books, including the popular Ella Bella Ballerina series. His special love for opera and ballet is reflected in many of his stories and illustrations. He lives with his wife and son in Letchworth Garden City, England. A brief passage at the back of the book tells the story of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy and includes some interesting facts about Felix Mendelssohn's enthralling music.DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Barron's Educational to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review. Winner/s will be notified via the email they have registered with their entry. They will have 48 hrs. to respond. Failure to respond will result in a different winner being randomly chosen. 1st place is to first chosen and 2nd place is to 2nd chosen - both randomly by Rafflecopter.
I used to pretend that I was a ballerina and I am hoping to find a tutu for my 18 month old granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteToday is a beautiful day and I am spending time with my granddaughter. I am happy and I have joy!
ReplyDeleteI had a music box with a pink ballerina that spun around and played music when you opened I always wanted to be just like her.
ReplyDeleteAfter yesterdays car-tastrophie I am glad I only have to buy a battery instead sending it to the shop
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book idea! I was a ballerina for a while as child, and have always enjoyed ballets. I'm hoping my little girl shows at least a little interest in it! Thank you for sharing this with the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteMarissa
The Cozy Reading Spot on Reading List
I love James Mayhew's Ella Bella stories, I'm so happy to see there's a new one :)
ReplyDeleteHopping over from the Kid Lit Blog Hop
I was a ballerina eons ago. My granddaughter would love to be.
ReplyDeleteI agree too that children should be exposed to all of the arts when they are little.
Naila Moon, Hostess #KLBH
We both love ballet and have definitely both imagined that we were the prima ballerina assoluta!
ReplyDeleteA lovely thing that happened to me today? A friend gave me a surprise gift from her garden.
ReplyDeleteThese look interesting! My daughter is just becoming obsessed with ballet and I am curious to find great books to go along with the interest. Will be looking these up. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was a little ballerina for a while.
ReplyDeleteWow! Shakespeare and Mendelssohn in one book for kids? Brilliant! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
ReplyDeleteTina
I got both my older kids to school on time with healthy packed lunches, then came home and took a shower with the baby and made him laugh! It's the little things in life!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter Sophia started dancing last year in Ballet, Jazz, and acrobatic! She loves all things dance now and I know she would love this!
ReplyDeleteI have a 6 year old who loves to pretend she's a ballerina.
ReplyDeleteMy one year old. She tried on all the hats and her sisters rubber boots and tromped around the house in them. I love watching her discover.
ReplyDeleteI had dreams of being a Ballerina as a child. I took Ballet lessons for a year and decided I did not to be a Ballerina anymore, I wanted to be a singer.
ReplyDeleteBoth of my girls are ballerinas! They both take dance lessons
ReplyDeleteHaving dinner with a friend tonight gave me joy
ReplyDeleteI had a dream of being one when I was very young. Then I got super shy, and couldn't stand the thought of performing.
ReplyDeleteI took ballet when I was a little girl, but ended up going with gymnastics instead. My oldest daughter just turned 6 and has been asking to take ballet too!
ReplyDeleteMy children bring me joy every day. Today my youngest daughter (she's 1) ran up to her older sister and gave her a big kiss and a long hug! It was so sweet, I love my babies!
ReplyDeleteToday we found joy in jumping in puddles.....we lots of rain!
ReplyDeleteMy little girl would love to be a ballerina! Her uncle just bought her an outfit, and now she's completely hooked!
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter would love this book - she just started ballet class and loves it!
ReplyDeleteThe cooler temperature and steady light rain has brought me great joy!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and my dog brought me joy today.
ReplyDeleteThe gorgeous, sunny day has brought me joy.
ReplyDeleteI had lots of joy seeing my family today! I don't see them as often as I would like! It was great! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI never had dreams of being a ballerina but I really admire them. The talent and discipline are amazing! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
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