About the Author

"Prima Princessa invites budding ballerinas to explore the wonderful world of ballet! Is there any more enticing figure than the ballerina? Dressed in a fluffy tutu, wearing her pink pointe shoes, and dancing so gracefully, she's what every little girl longs to be. But what does it take to make that fantasy come true? Thanks to the charming, illustrated Prima Princessa, would-be ballerinas will enjoy a privileged peek into the dancer's world. The fairy-like Princessa ushers readers into New York City's famous School of American Ballet (SAB) in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts--the finest dance academy in the U.S. and the starting point for most of the New York City Ballet's ballerinas. Through stunning photography, they'll enter SAB's classrooms and get an intimate look at how elite dancers train. The visit begins in a pre-ballet class, moves to SAB's Children's Ballet Division (11-year-olds), and finally arrives at the near-professional Advanced Ballet classes (16-year-olds). Along the way, newcomers to ballet will learn about the school's dress code; see close-up images of young students demonstrating all the basic positions; and find out