Allegra Kent, legendary ballerina and muse of George Balanchine and
Joseph Cornell, was a dancer at New York City Ballet for over
thirty years. There she danced in dozens of major roles, many of
them in ballets created especially for her by Balanchine. A former
teacher at Barnard College, Allegra is the author of several
critically acclaimed books, including her autobiography, Once a
Dancer . . . , and her first book for children, Ballerina Swan. She
lives in New York City.
Robin Preiss Glasser actually wore tiaras and tutus when she danced
with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Now she happily spends her days in
jeans, drawing. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books,
including the bestselling Fancy Nancy series. She won the
Children’s Choice Award for Best Illustrator of the Year for Fancy
Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet. Robin and her family live in Southern
California.
"Grand Jeté is the elegant ballerina grandmother of every young
aspiring dance student’s Christmas Eve dreams. Having been a dancer
herself, she is an example of the powerful effect of seeing the
world through eyes trained to create and appreciate beauty, and she
turns the act of attending The Nutcracker into a
performance itself. As it should be." — Gregory Victor, of the
Jerome Robbins Foundation
"Glasser’s years of ballet training are evident in the book’s
illustrations, which depict the dancers exhibiting perfect
technique. They’re also a beautiful testament to Balanchine’s
choreography and Karinska’s beloved costumes, drawn here in
exquisite detail. The character of Grand Jeté, with her long neck
and upswept gray hair, also brings Kent’s delicate grace to the
page." — Pointe Magazine
"This charming tale of the annual holiday tradition of a
grandmother and granddaughter in the heart of New York City is sure
to warm your hearts and trigger memories of your experiences
seeing The Nutcracker." — The Ballet Herald
"The grandmother in the story...is pure delight for her young
granddaughter, imparting ideas from her years as a ballerina
herself. This is a wonderful picture book for children." — Dance
Teacher
"A little girl’s visit with her grandmother is filled with dancing
from the moment the door opens at her New York City apartment…The
detailed illustrations, featuring the New York City Ballet’s
Nutcracker costumes and sets, are joyous and bubbly." — Kirkus
Reviews
“An easy addition to holiday collections, certain to appeal to
Nutcracker fans and balletomanes.” — School Library
Journal
“Numerous engaging pictures will entice readers to take the time to
pour over…this charming story.” — Booklist Online
“Glasser’s kinetic, wispy artwork…warmly pays homage to ballet form
onstage and off, capturing the text’s free-spirited,
memory-centered vibe.” — Publishers Weekly
“When the little girl visits her grandmother…dance infuses their
ordinary moments." — Horn Book Magazine
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