31 Days of Reading with Your Children // Day 11

Read about art and music with your children!

Primarily we are a household of females around these parts with three girls aged 8, 5, and 4. That means I read a LOT of books about ballerinas and dancing. : ) One of our favorite series is Ella Bella Ballerina by James Mayhew. Several years ago, I wrote about our love for the books of James Mayhew ... specifically his books about a little girl named Katie and her adventures at the museum as she gets to know famous works of art. I was thrilled to find out (via Elizabeth's blog) that Mr. Mayhew had a series about a little girl names Ella Bella Ballerina!

Ella Bella is a ballet student of Madame Rosa's. One day after class she opens the lid of a magical music box. Out appears a magical fairy that takes Ella to explore the world of a famous ballet. She learns the story behind the ballet and learns a little bit about the composer that created it. There are delicate pictures of Ella and the characters that she encounters and she winds her way through the ballet. And at the back of each book, there is a synopsis of the ballet with a little history behind it. The best of both worlds in my opinion: a beautiful picture book with some meat to it.

Currently, Mr. Mayhew has published Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella, Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty, and Ella Bella Ballerina and the Swan Princess. I understand from Mr. Mayhew's own Ella Bella blog that one based on the Nutcracker is also in the works!

As I've said before with other James Mayhew's books, these are well worth the addition to your library and are a great introduction in to the works of famous composers (or artists) for little people. 

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The book links above are Amazon affiliate links ... if you click them and make a purchase, I will earn a few pennies towards books for my munchkins. Just thought I'd mention it. :)