I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own.
I tried ballet as a small child but it was not for me. Lately both my two girls have been asking to try ballet but with my oldest I hesitate as she is a rough and tumbly child. Even if I don’t move forward with ballet lessons for them we can still take a ballerina adventure in a book! Ella Bella Ballerina and A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the latest title to be released from the Ella Bella Ballerina series.
Here is the newest title in Barron’s delightful Ella Bella series! In this story, Ella’s kindly ballet teacher, Madame Rosa, has given the children costumes to wear as her magical music box pours out a shimmering tune. ?This is A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn,? she says, as she tells the children about the Shakespearean story that inspired Mendelssohn’s ballet. When Madame Rosa is through, she asks all of her little ballerinas to ?dance like fairies!? When everyone else goes off to change, Ella stays behind for just one more fairy dance?and finds herself transported into the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There, she meets Puck, the mischievous fairy, and Oberon, King of Fairyland. Oberon asks Puck to help him win back the heart of Titania, his fairy queen. Puck, in turn, enlists Ella to help him in his midsummer mischief. This charming story is beautifully illuminated by James Mayhew’s whimsical, lovely, and colorful illustrations. A brief passage at the back of the book tells the story of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. It also includes some interesting facts about Felix Mendelssohn and his sparkling, scurrying, enchanting music.
This whimsical tale is perfect for ages 4?8. Both my 4 and 7 year old daughters really enjoy it. It is bigger than a normal sized book, which I actually really like. It is hardback and extremely nice quality and all the illustrations work together so well with the story. Ella is at ballet class but when the other girls run off to change she stays behind to listen to the music box one last time. Then Puck arrives and takes her into?A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A great introduction to the wonderful world of Shakespeare and overall a super cute book!
