Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder #FMEGifts2015
One night, young Anna’s mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. So begins the journey of a girl who will one day grow up to be the most famous prima ballerina of all time, inspiring legions of dancers after her: the brave, the generous, the transcendently gifted Anna Pavlova. Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova is a heartbreakingly beautiful picture book biography perfect for aspiring ballerinas of all ages.
Swan is a beautifully illustrated and written picture book depicting the life and death of Anna Pavlova. The reader is taken on a journey through Anna’s humble beginnings in a snowy city in Czarist Russia through her triumph on stage right through to her tragic end.
This is a book that needs to be read aloud. As you read it you will find the verse takes you up / and down / and to and fro, much like a ballet dance. The way the author managed to convey all the beauty and elegance of Anna’s dance through the rhythm of the text is truly a triumph of the written word. Just try and get through it without your voice catching. I haven’t managed it yet!
The author handles Anna’s death well and in a way that a younger reader (or in my case two little listeners) might not understand what has happened. This may invite conversation – or not! You can choose as a parent how to deal with it, which I think was smart. I honestly think it would have done this book a disservice to gloss over or ignore her death. It is a sad ending, but it manages to be portrayed in a truly beautiful way.
There is also a really great Author’s note with a two page, fairly detailed run-down of Anna’s life as well as a bibliography and quotation source which may invite more opportunities to explore Anna’s life.
This is a fantastic choice for any young reader, especially ones with an interest in dance.
Swan is available to purchase from Amazon, and book-stores near you!
Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
I ordered this i hope i get it in time
That would be a nice stocking stuffer. The artwork is beautiful.
This sounds like a really nice book,and the illustrations are beautiful!
I think I would enjoy reading this even though it is sad. The illustrations look really peaceful.
This sounds like such an awesome book. And, I know a few people who’d enjoy this book.
I’ve never heard of this book but it looks great! I know a few people who would probably love it.
What a great book and tribute to an awesome woman.
That sounds like a really awesome book! I think my daughter would really like this one!
This sounds like a great book to read! I love the illustrations for this book.
This book looks absolutely beautiful. If you don’t love dance, I have a feeling you will by the end of reading this book.
This looks like a fantastic book. I know a few people this would be a perfect Christmas gift for.
This looks like a beautiful book! Such a wonderful story too!
Sounds like a really interesting book. And the illustrations are very beautiful!
My youngest would have loved this story. She wanted to be a professional dancer (and singer) and would have related to the characters.
I think this looks like a book we need to read. It would teach kids to dream their dreams and also know what tragedy is. I love the illustrations.