With the leaves falling and a cooler wind blowing, it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a good book. We are spoiled this autumn with new releases about ballet—everything from novels to non-fiction, children’s to coffee-table books. Look below to select your next read (or get ideas for upcoming stocking stuffers).
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For Lovers of Beautiful Books
Martha Graham Dance Company 100 Years by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory
Founded in 1926 by Martha Graham, The Martha Graham Dance Company is the oldest dance company in the United States and remains one of the world’s most distinguished and highly acclaimed. Captured by NYC Dance Project’s Ken Browar and Deborah Ory, this lush book features over 200 images of Graham and her original dancers, plus recreated moments from 24 of her most celebrated works. It is a monumental photographic tribute to Graham’s profound creative heritage, and a gift to lovers of dance and art.
Movement at the Still Point: An Ode to Dance by Mark Mann
A testament to the emotional and physical power of dancers in stillness and in motion, this beautiful hardcover book by photographer Mark Mann is a collection of images that capture the dynamism and energy of both dance and photography. Artists from Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, Martha Graham, New York City Ballet, and many more companires are featured, including Misty Copeland, Chita Rivera, Carmen de Lavallade, Xin Ying, and James Whiteside.
Roberto Bolle: Dance and Fashion by Roberto Bolle
An illustrated journey through Bolle’s career dancing with major companies around the world, including photographs from Annie Leibovitz, Douglas Kirkland, Giovanni Gastel, and more. A dancer called a “dancing Greek sculpture,” Bolle helped bring dance to a wider audience and became one of Italy’s cultural ambassadors to the world.
For Young & Growing Dancers
Best Ballerina Friends by Katharine Holabird
Right in time for the holidays comes his heart-shaped, foiled board book about Angelina Ballerina, her friend Alice, and their time at Miss Lilly’s Ballet School.
Bunheads, Act 2: The Dance of Courage by Misty Copeland
A sequel to her bestselling Bunheads picture book, this story revolves around Misty, her best friend Cat, and the ups and downs leading up to a performance of Don Quixote. Featuring the vibrant illustrations of Setor Fiadzigbey, it is an inspiring tale for anyone who’s ever suffered a setback or had a dream deferred.
XO Ballerina Big Sis by Tiler Peck
In this middle-grade book, the New York City Ballet Principal Dancer lets you into her journey from the School of American Ballet to being a professional dancer and provides practical advice, how-tos, insider tips, encouragement, and more for young dancers everywhere. This inspirational, must-own ballet book includes tips on how to properly prepare for class, prep your toe shoes, control stage fright, deal with injuries, and handle things like puberty and periods while in ballet training.
For Fiction Fiends
The World at Home by Ginny Kubitz Moyer
Irene is making her way as a dressmaker in 1944 San Francisco when she becomes absorbed in making costumes for San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker, the first performance of the full-length ballet in the US. Set in a vibrant city during a turbulent time, this coming-of-age story explores creativity, loss, and the many lessons we learn from love,
For Non-Fiction Fans
Balanchine Finds His America: A Tale of Love Lost and Ballet Reborn by Elizabeth Kendall
A close-up look at the young choreographer’s first 13 years in America, tracing his rise to one of the century’s greatest artists. Opening on the day of his arrival in 1933, it charts the local biases, global politics, and personal struggles that he had to overcome to create his earliest ballets—the now iconic Serenade (1933), The Four Temperaments (1946), and many more in between. Balanchine Finds His American highlights the young artist’s tragic yet triumphant inner journey towards American-ness and the impact of this journey on the ballet organizations he helped form and the legacy he left the world.
