There are days when every dancer needs a little helpful advice. There are other days when it’s very difficult to keep your chin up. Advice and support are within reach, in Put Your Best Foot Forward, an inspirational book written by one of the master teachers of the School of American Ballet. Crisp, colorful photographs of young dancers and swirly letters illustrate the text.

Practical advice for young dancers helps dance technique and inner well-being. Becoming a swan, for example, means moving gracefully, keeping the neck long, but it also means not letting your feathers get ruffled.

Browsing the pages is a fun journey, and a helpful part of the path for any young dancer.

Author: Marilyn Nelson illustrator: Susan Kuklin
Title: Beautiful Ballerina
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2009
Ages: 4-8
ISBN: 9780545089203

Written by Newberry Honor winner Marilyn Nelson, Beautiful Ballerina is a visual and lyrical celebration of ballerinas. Every page of Nelson’s flowing poetry is accompanied by bright, colorful photographs of young ballerinas from the Dance Theater of Harlem’s school. Tiny ballerinas stretch, point their toes, and mimic the older ballerinas as they fly through the air in grand jetes or balance en point. Every step captured by the camera was professionally choreographed by Endalyn Taylor, the Director of Dance Theater of Harlem. Words and poses are equally inspiring for a variety of readers, from young dancers to adult aficionados.