Traditionally for many, the beginning of a new year marks the moment to make resolutions and set new goals; they are often related to self-care, professional ambitions, and personal relationships.
Thus we’ve compiled a list of ballet books that – albeit indirectly – may contribute to an objective you (or in some cases, a young one in your life) have your heart and mind set on to accomplish in the next twelve months. Plus, reading in itself is an action that helps us grow in many different ways. As NBC campaigns: The More You Know.
This is a diverse nonexhaustive collection of ballet books in terms of target audience, topic, and genre so chances are you will find something that is a good fit.
And if you have any recommendations, please drop us a note in the comments below and we’ll consider adding it to the list!
BALLET BOOKS LIST
- Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet (by Jennifer Homans)
- B Is for Ballet: A Dance Alphabet (by John Robert Allman)
- Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated Story (by DK with forward by Viviana Durante)
- Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life (Gavin Larsen)*
- A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back (by David Hallberg)
- Boys Dance! (by John Robert Allman)
- Bunheads (by Misty Copeland)
- Center Center (by James Whiteside)*
- Dancers Among Us: A Celebration of Joy in the Everyday (by Jordan Matter)
- Final Bow for Yellowface (by Phil Chan)
- Mao's Last Dancer (by Li Cunxin)*
- The Nutcracker (by New York City Ballet)
- The Painted Girls (by Cathy Marie Buchanan)
- Rudolf Nureyev: The Life (by Julie Kavanagh)
- Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina (by Georgina Pazcoguin)*
- Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina (by Michaela DePrince)
- Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet (by Gail Grant)
- Tiny Pretty Things (by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton)
- Welcome to Ballet School (by Ashley Bouder)
Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet
by Jennifer Homans
Homan’s background as a former professional ballerina, dance critic, and historian of modern Europe provides the ingredients to make for a thorough and insightful chronicle of ballet. She takes the reader on a journey of ballet’s origins, to its geographical expansion, and to its evolution when it finally reached the United States.
B Is for Ballet: A Dance Alphabet
by John Robert Allman
Created in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, Allman creates for readers young and older an educational, alphabetical exploration of some of the most significant words in the ballet vernacular. Rachael Dean’s illustrations add vibrant color to the experience.
Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated Story
by DK with forward by Viviana Durante
This reference book is a chronological history covering renowned ballet companies and dancers as well as over seventy ballets. Illustrations and rare photographs accompany the easy-to-read layout and cleanly-displayed timelines making the learning both literary and visual.
Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life
by Gavin Larsen
In an episodic nature with essays written from different narrative perspectives, Ms. Larsen’s memoir takes the reader on her ballet journey from the first steps in a dance studio to the final bow on stage. This book marks Ms. Larsen’s debut as a published book author.
A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back
by David Hallberg
This autobiographical memoir of the current Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet was written while Hallberg was still a principal with American Ballet Theatre. He tells about the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of his artistic career and provides intimate insight into the life of an elite ballet dancer.
Boys Dance!
by John Robert Allman
Written by the author of the aforementioned B is for Ballet, this book is dedicated specifically to celebrating the male dancer. Luciano Lozano imagines the words into illustrations and photographs and interviews of influential ABT members compliment the story.
Bunheads
by Misty Copeland
With a few releases under her belt already, Copeland’s latest features herself as the young protagonist hearing about Coppélia for the first time. Readers will not only hear an inspiring tale, but will also learn about this fun, comedic ballet via Setor Fiadzigbey’s illustrations.
Center Center
by James Whiteside
In what is subtitled, “A Funny, Sexy, Sad Almost-Memoir of a Boy in Ballet”, Whiteside discusses not only his path to becoming one of the most well-known ballet dancers of the 21st century but also how his two alter egos – JbDubs (a pop musician) and Ühu Betch (a drag queen) – have made him one of the most popular celebrities beyond the ballet space.
Dancers Among Us: A Celebration of Joy in the Everyday
by Jordan Matter
This photographic coffee table book started when Matter asked a Paul Taylor Dance Company member to dance in a place least expected. He loved the results and the result is a collection of dancers using New York City and beyond as their stage to portray “A Celebration of Joy in the Everyday”.
Final Bow for Yellowface: Dancing between Intention and Impact
by Phil Chan
Over the past several years, there has been more public awareness and acceptance about the fact that cultural stereotypes are often portrayed in many of our beloved classical ballets. Chan has been at the forefront of advocacy for the Asian community in particular in this ongoing global conversation.
Mao’s Last Dancer
by Li Cunxin
The current Queensland Ballet Artistic Director’s inspiring autobiographical story from peasant to ballet star has also been made into a film. Li Cunxin’s talent was spotted during his youth at which time he was taken from his small Chinese village to bustling Beijing before arriving in the United States – a journey that would take him to levels he never imagined.
A ballet book list would feel incomplete without the inclusion of some version of The Nutcracker. This finely illustrated (by Valeria Docampo) version is based on George Balanchine’s production which New York City Ballet presents annually at Christmastime.
The Painted Girls
by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Buchanan’s book although categorized as a novel contains elements of historical fiction about the period of time when Edgar Degas sculpted one of his most (in)famous works, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. As essayed in this CNN article, there exists a sordid side to the history of the beautiful art of ballet.
Rudolf Nureyev: The Life
by Julie Kavanagh
Kavanagh’s biography detailing the professional and personal escapades of one of classical ballet’s most iconic and dynamic figures is considered one of the most definitive by literary critics. Rudolf Nureyev’s story which was recently told in cinematographic form in The White Crow is based on this particular writing.
Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina
by Georgina Pazcoguin
Known for her dancing as a soloist with New York City Ballet and for her partnership with Phil Chan of Final Bow for Yellowface fame, Pazcoguin goes out on her own this time with her very own memoir. She shares her life as a ballerina and social activist for readers to see the world through her eyes.
Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina
by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince
Once an orphan, now a sought after ballerina, DePrince’s memoir shares her childhood hardships and progressive triumphs with the rest of the world. Her inspirational story created headline news and will soon be made into a major motion picture directed by Madonna.
Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet
by Gail Grant
This resource book has been a staple in dance studios for decades, a reference for teachers and students alike. Its extensive dictionary of ballet terms provides pronunciation, phonetic description, literal translation, and details about their practical use and execution in the ballet space.
Tiny Pretty Things
by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Netflix has succeeded in bringing ballet into the mainstream even if it is from a more dramatic and gossipy perspective. It is based on this two volume series about three top-level dancers at a prestigious New York City ballet school and the trials and tribulations of their ballet career.
Welcome to Ballet School
by Ashley Bouder
This debut book by Bouder, a New York City Ballet principal dancer, is an interactive read that encourages young ones to first learn some basic ballet lessons and then develop their interpretations of characters from The Sleeping Beauty. The illustrations by Julia Bereciartu exemplify the importance of diversity.
*book added after initial publication of this article
Featured Photo for Ballet Books for Your Reading List by The Ballet Herald
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𝐌𝐚𝐨’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐢 𝐂𝐮𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐧: “The extraordinary memoir of a peasant boy raised in rural Maoist China who was plucked from his village to study ballet and went on to become one of the greatest dancers of his generation.” ~ Goodreads
This international best seller was published in 2005 and was made into a movie a few years later. It is a very moving true story of a talented, young boy’s journey to stardom, encountering many political, familial, and personal relationship issues along the way.
Li Cunxin’s story is inspiring, and deep enough for the book to have a young reader’s edition! – less details and historical facts. He became one of the greatest ballet dancers in the world – as well as a choreographer and artistic director. Quite an accomplishment, by any means!
Even though the book, as well as the movie, is over a decade-old, one can still find them…it will be well-worth the effort!
Thank you for the recommendation, Jennifer – it’s now part of the article! I saw the movie and absolutely loved it…now to add the book to my reading list 🙂