cover image On Their Toes, Young Dancers AT, a Russian Ballet School

On Their Toes, Young Dancers AT, a Russian Ballet School

Ann Morris, Richard Morris. Atheneum Books, $21 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-689-31660-9

This impressive photo-essay chronicles the prescribed routines of Russian ballet students lucky enough to be admitted to Leningrad's competitive Vaganova Choreographic Institute--where many world-renowned dancers have studied. In her fluid and engrossing text, Morris writes that ``many of the students will become famous dancers too, but it will take many years of practice and patience. They will have less time for play than most children, but for them dancing is their play. They prefer dancing to anything else in the world.'' Dedication is clearly a prime requisite, since the pupils must balance hours of dance classes with a rigorous academic schedule and responsibilities at home. Though each facet of the young students' lives is touched upon, the focus here is primarily on their dance training. Dynamic, vivid photos of various sizes are deftly presented on glossy stock, while dreamy photographic endpapers reflect the graceful beauty and endless hopes of these terpsichorean aspirants. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)