Young Peo Bk Music CL

Another pair of books, these from Kingfisher again, caters to an interest in the arts. The Kingfisher Young People's Book of Music, edited by Clive Wilson, takes readers on a tour through history and around the world. The entries, covering both classical and popular music, define musical periods and genres, show the cultural uses of music and introduce instruments. Ballet by Kate Castle, a former member of the Royal Ballet Company, offers a behind-the-scenes look that should satisfy even the most obsessed young balletomane. Castle briefly relates the history of ballet, describes the five positions in a visit to a ballet class and discusses choreography and performance, and more. Both works are generously illustrated; Music relies more on photos and period art, Ballet makes greater use of drawings. (Kingfisher, Music: $19.95 128p ages 9-13 ISBN 1-85697-586-X; Ballet: $14.95 64p ages 8-12 -5001-1; Sept.)