Giselle [Hardcover]

Grade 2-4-These retellings of three of the best-known classical ballets are really more about the magic of storytelling than the dance. Giselle is told from the point of view of a grief-stricken Albrecht. Sleeping Beauty has multiple narrators, and Swan Lake is told in the third person. The stories are told with flair and drama that will read aloud well. An introductory two-page summary of dance in general and classical ballet in particular is the same in all three books. The concluding four pages give a short performance history and talk about various topics related to the art form. Each book is attractively decorated with colorful borders and watercolor illustrations of key scenes. For those who want only the plots of the classical ballets, stick with Barbara Newman's The Illustrated Book of Ballet Stories (DK, 1997) and Antonia Barber's Shoes of Satin, Ribbons of Silk: Tales from the Ballet (Kingfisher, 1995).
Amy Kellman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Poor Giselle! With her innocent and trusting nature, she could not imagine the village man she loves is really Count Albrecht in disguise--and he is already promised to another. When the truth comes out, the stage is set for tragedy...The epitome of romantic ballet, with its star-crossed love, ethereal creatures from beyond the grave, and faith in the eternal power of forgiveness.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.