LILI AT BALLET

With a minimal explanatory text, a realistic depiction of a serious young ballet student and her class. Beginning with an appealing take of Lili dancing at home with her cat and a glamorous glimpse of a ballet in progress in an ornate theater, Isadora details the clothes used for class, warm-up exercises, the five positions, and several of the classic steps, including some high leaps taught in the boys' class. Meanwhile, Lili, an aspiring ballerina, dances the flower fairy in a school performance and looks forward to learning roles like Petroushka and Giselle. Isadora, who's danced professionally, deftly sketches the young dancers in delicate pencil lines and splashes of watercolor, giving them ample space to move across the white pages and nicely capturing their poise and grace. There's little mention here of discipline or hard work; still, an attractive and informative first look. (Picture book. 4-9)