By Rajka Kupesic
Toronto, CA: Tundra Books, 2011. Informational.
The white ballets, particularly 'Swan Lake', are amongst the most popular ballets in the world. This title features three magical loves stories which are brought alive with stunning artwork. - Publisher
Written by Robyn McGrath
Illustrated by Alexander Mostov
New York: Penguin Workshop, 2026. Informational.
In the 1970s, an all-male ballet company called Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was formed in New York City-but the dancers did not play only traditional male roles on stage. Instead, "The Trocks" dressed in tutus and wigs. They danced in both male and female roles. Their practices and performances were precise and serious, but the dancers brought joy, comedy, and whimsy to the stage! With determination, hard work, and a desire to create an all-inclusive and empowering LGBTQ+ community, Les Ballets Trockadero is a global sensation today, and its international cast of dancers perform sold-out shows worldwide. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 2024. Brave New Ballet educates young readers about the true story of dancers who dreamed of performing as their truest selves. With delightful illustrations by Alexander Mostov, this nonfiction story leaps, jetés, and pirouettes across the pages with a dedication to an inclusive vision. - Publisher
Written by Michelle Meadows
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2019. Biography.
Presents the story of a remarkable pioneer, who was the first African American prima ballerina in the Metropolitan Opera, in a time when racial segregation was widespread in the United States. - Publisher
Written by Heather Alexander
Illustrated by Amelie Videlo
New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2021. Informational. 95 pgs.
A charmingly illustrated exploration of The Nutcracker ballet, from the story to the characters to the music, for kids aged 8 - 12 to enjoy. - Publisher
Written by Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Helen Shoesmith
London, UK: Welbeck Editions, 2022. Informational.
Open the envelope to discover your very own invitation to the ballet, asking you to take a tour and peek behind the scenes to see what goes on between performances. Explore the lesser known areas of the theatre, such as the shoe room, the rehearsal studio and the healthcare suite. Open the gatefolds to display the costume department, the set-building workshops and a performance live on stage. Learn about famous ballets such as Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake as you turn the pages. With beautifully intricate illustrations, you'll discover more wonderful details each time you read the book. - Publisher
Written by Laura Obuobi
Illustrated by Olivia Duchess
New York: Harper, 2025. Biography.
A picture book biography of Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a Sierra Leone-born orphan turned ballerina.
Written by Claire Wrenn Bobrow
Illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati
New York: Atheneum, 2026. Informational.
A spirited picture book about the epic struggle and dramatic breakthrough of Agnes de Mille, the legendary American choreographer of Oklahoma and Carousel whose work changed the course of Broadway history. - Publisher
By Misty Copeland
New York: Aladdin, 2021. Biography.
From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes a nonfiction picture book celebrating dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage. As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn't have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a Black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn't alone--and her dream wasn't impossible. In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty brings these women's stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve. With an introduction from Misty about the legacy these women have had on dance and on her career itself, this book delves into the lives and careers of women of color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early twentieth century to today. - Publisher
By Lisa Miles
Hauppauge, NY: Barron's, 2015. Informational. 79 pgs.
An introduction to ballet features facts on the dance discipline's history, basic steps, costumes, and famous dancers, and includes details of iconic performances from the Royal Ballet. - Editor
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