Books for Dancers

As I got older, I wanted to know more about dance, but just going to class just wasn't enough. I actually wanted to research dance - its history, the techniques, the landmark performers, etc. I wanted to know dance.

I started checking out books from the library and people would also gift me books as well, and I read them all from cover to cover.

So today, I bring you Miss Tess' top ten list of dance books!

1. The Pointe Book
A ballerina's essential tool. This book was introduced to me by first year en pointe by my dance teacher and she taught out of this book.
I eventually got a copy for myself and found it super helpful to have around. It contains everything on how pointe shoes are made, how to care for them, and also some handy exercises and techniques. A definite recommendation for every dancer thinking about or is dancing en pointe.





2. Conditioning for Dance
My dad gave me this book for Christmas last year and I LOVE it. The targeted exercises are exactly what dancers need to in order to build up strength and flexibility.
My favorite characteristic of this book is that it gives great visual examples. Much of dance is visualized in order to interpret thoughts into movement.
A great tool for dancers of all genres to have.




3. Dancers Among Us: A Celebration of Joy in the Everyday
Photographer Jordon Matter snaps photos of dancers doing ordinary things in ordinary places. Of course, nothing is ordinary when you add a little dance: a ballerina leaping in the aisles of a bookstore, a man dressed in a suit dances across the subway platform, a young couple on an exciting picnic.
This is a fun book to have in your library. An inspiring collection of photos to remind you that you can dance through anything.






4. Tutus, Tights, and Tiptoes: Ballet History As it Ought to be Taught
My sister brought this book home from a ballet camp one summer.
It's a cute, funny, and satirical look on the history of dance. A fun and enjoyable read.







 5. I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina
This is a sweet and beautiful story of Anna Pavolva, taken from her autobiography. It delicately tells the story of when she visits her first ballet performance and the inspiration that stems from it. Combined with Edgar Degas' spectacular artwork of dancers, it serves as a great reminder that no dream is impossible.






6. Ann Miller: Tops in Taps
Being a tap enthusiast, my dance teacher gifted me this book. It's a history of tapper Ann Miller's rise to stardom told in photographs. My favorite photograph of Ann was one where they strapped a pedometer to her ankle to see how many "steps" she danced.







7. 101 Stories of the Great Ballets
Written by the legendary George Balanchine, this is the dictionary of well-known, popular ballets.









8. Song and Dance Man
I remember that my art teacher read this to us in the fourth grade and the story has always stuck out in my mind.  It's a cute story of three grandchildren who watch their grandfather perform like he did in the vaudeville days.








9.Mao's Last Dancer
I saw the movie and loved it. Then I read the book. Equally as beautiful. Like Anna Pavlova, Li Cunxin defied the odds and overcame hurdles to become a ballet dancer and follow his dream.

10. DK Eyewitness Books: Dance
My dance teacher had a shelf of books outside the studio I loved to go through before class. This book was always one of my favorites. I liked going though it and learning about all the different kinds of dance styles. When I was a young child, all I knew was ballet and tap. This was also a book I frequently checked out of the library.





Happy reading, and happy dancing!

 

Miss Tess

tessc@balletpetite.com