Lacul Lebedelor

Odette is a princess trapped by a spell. A young prince falls in love with her. But the sorcerer Von Rotbart seeks to keep them apart. His daughter Odile blocks their path to love. The tale looks at lies, trust, and love that lasts.

This fairy tale uses pictures to share Swan Lake with children. It also suits those who like ballet and classic tales. Valeria Docampo bases her art on New York City Ballet’s staging. Peter Martins gives the tale a modern feel through his dance steps. Some scenes show dances in the moonlight. Others show the Swan Queen dancing with her prince.

The book shares ballet’s past and shows how dancers practise their craft. Young readers learn about top dancers and major ballet groups. They see how costumes and stage sets help shape a show. The story links music, writing, and dance. It gives readers a place to start with Tchaikovsky’s ballet. They can then explore the ways people stage it.

This book is part of a series drawn from ballet shows. New York City Ballet stages the shows on which it draws. The series also has The Nutcracker, with art by Docampo.