Degas and the Little Dancer (Anholt's Artists Books for Children)

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Type: Book
Studio: Barron's Educational Series
Young Marie wants to be a ballerina, but her parents have no money for lessons. She must earn what little money she can as an artist’s model at a ballet school. Then, her life takes an unusual turn when she models for the famous sculptor, Edgar Degas.This is a title in Barron’s Anholt’s Artists Books for Children series, in which author and illustrator Laurence Anholt recalls memorable and sometimes amusing moments when the lives of the artists were touched by children. Anholt’s fine illustrations appear on every page and include reproductions of works by the artists.

I Like This Book... My 4yr old is bored by it
I agree this may indeed be a book for slightly older children. My daughter does not like this book nearly as much as I do. The drawings are wonderful, and I plan to buy more from this series when she is a bit older.

Must read if travelling to Paris
My 9 year old daughter read this book just before we went to Paris and literally dragged me to the Musee d'Orsay to see all works by Edgar Degas. She then read everything else by Anholt and is now chafing at the bit to see works by Picasso. Anholt's books are wonderfully illustrated, show the works of the artists, and know how to appeal to a child's imagination. We are fans.

Degas and the Little Dancer: A Story About Edgar Degas
Laurence Anholt created a wonderful opportunity for youngsters, and adults, to learn about art history. Never before have I ever experienced Degas in this manner. I have given this book to many 5-year olds interested in ballet as well as art. It's become a treasured book for both the child and the parents.

Another great story by Laurence Anholt
Degas and the Little Dancer is a true story about Marie, a young ballerina, who posed for Degas to pay for her sick father's doctor. She always dreamed of becoming world famous and thanks to Degas she did. The story has beautiful illustrations. This is a great way to introduce children to art. However, the story was a bit lengthy for my three-year- old. I would recommend it for children who have longer attention spans than a toddler.

charming introduction into art for youngsters
This book serves more than one purpose. It is a short, but entertaining read for a child or for a parent to read to their children. The story is about Marie, a young girl in France who is loved by her poor, but hard-working parents. They work long hours to save money to send her to ballet school - as it is her dream to become the world's most famous ballerina.

When her father becomes ill and can no longer afford to pay for her classes, the famous artist Edgar Degas offers to pay her for modeling for him. He is mean, short-tempered and impatient with Marie, making her hold poses for hours until her neck aches.

One night, however, she finds out just a little of what is under the surface of Degas' rough exterior and feels sorry for him, giving him her long hair ribbon.

Even her modeling pay cannot sustain the cost of her classes, so she must give up her dream. Later, she and her parents receive an invitation to a gallery showing of Degas' work - the center piece is the only sculpture of his ever displayed during his lifetime - it is of Marie - and unlike other statues, hers is wearing a tutu and the beautiful hair ribbon she gave him.

The story is not only entertaining, but it tells children that while some people may act mean or rude, it may be because they are hurting on the inside - and extending friendship to someone who behaves in such a manner can truly make a difference in their life and in yours.

The story is peppered with illustrations of Marie and her family, as well as photos of Degas' paintings and of course, his famous sculpture. Information about the names of the paintings and the museums where they are displayed is also cited at the end of the book.

This doesn't have to be just a book for girls - even young boys will see a universal truth - we can always have dreams and even though they may not come true the way we envisioned them, we never know what wonderful surprises are around the corner.