FIRST STEPS IN BALLET

An efficient first book justifies its purpose as an intelligent aid to home practice by stressing the importance to good teaching and classwork and of using the book only in connection with the instructions a child is receiving. In her introduction, Thalia Mara gives the qualifications for a good teacher- background, academic technique, good judgment as to age, views on toe dancing and so forth. The exercises which follow, are the basic ones only- from correct body placement through battements; and the accompanying clean cut instructions and diagrams are very explicit.