Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

By Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Illustrated by Brian Floca 

Together Martha Graham, Aaron Copland and Isamu Noguchi created an American masterpiece: Appalachian Spring. This is a true story of a trailblazing choreographer, a distinguished American composer and an artist, sculptor, craftsman. Through months of planning, rehearsing and preparation on October 30, 1944 a ballet performance was performed that is now a beautiful and acclaimed classic. 

"Sometimes art is made by one artist, working alone, but sometimes it is the result of artist working together--collaborating--to forge something new. It took more than a year and the imaginations of many talented people for Appalachian Spring, the dance created by Martha Graham to be performed on stage for the first time. The result was an American classic. This is the story of how it happened." 

Martha Graham (1894-1991): Choreographer/Dancer 

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): American Composer 

Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988): Artist 

Ballet for Martha is much more than just about a dancer. It is a wonderful book that promotes creativity and collaboration. Accurate information, vivid illustrations make this an all-around lovely book.

Here is a short video clip of Appalachian Spring: 

Thomas and the Dragon Queen
By Shutta Crum and Illustrated by Lee Wildish

   


Thomas, the eldest of ten children, is however the smallest. His stature has him constantly picked on and always struggling to prove himself. When the opportunity arises for him to steal away to the castle with the possibility of one day becoming a knight, it’s all he can do to wait for morning to leave. As a squire his determination is tested in the field of battle, but nothing like that when he is sent on a quest to rescue his King’s only daughter and princess. Thomas and the Dragon Queen is a story of a boy who becomes a knight with the help of a few obstacles and friends to show him how valued he truly is. Thomas has to use all his courage and determination to overcome what others think and see him as, a son of a leathersmith. 
I thought this was a very fun and enjoyable read. It was a book full of fantasy and adventure that told a story about courage. Many people are judged and misunderstood just by their outer appearance but its not the outside that makes someone great and heroic but inside qualities such as bravery, honesty and being true to oneself. This book would be a great book for boys, although girls could enjoy it too. 

Camille Saint-Saen's: The Carnival of the Animals

By Jack Prelutsky

Illustrated by Mary GrandPre

The Carnival of the Animals is a fabulous book that takes classical music and turns it into a lively story! 

Welcome to our carnival,

Where birds and beasts and such

Behave a lot like people do, 

At times a bit too much. 

Throughout the story we are taken on an adventure and introduced to several animals and given some fun information about them!Jack Prelutsky captures Carnival of Animals through rhymes and cadence, humor and beauty, and feeling of music in catchy, fun to read poems. Mixed with the interaction of classical music the rich illustrations make all the animals come to life! Mary GrandPre's illustrations are wonderful and eye-catching that bring a magical essence to the story. 

About the Composer: 

Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) began his career at the age of thirteen as a composer in Paris. He composed over three hundred works and one of the first composer to write music for cinema. The Carnival of the Animals was composed in 1886. 

About the Author: 

Jack Prelutsky is a very famous poet for children's literature. He has published more than 50 books and has compiled ten poetry anthologies. He has always had a fascination with animals which are very apparent in a lot of his poems. 

   
The Night Fairy
By Laura Amy Schlitz
Illustrated by Angela Barrett

Flory, a young night fairy, lost her wings and the ability to fly due to the fact that a bat mistook her for a moth. What happens to a fairy that no longer has wings and can fly? Well Flory discovers a world that is very big and very, very dangerous. She has to create a new identity (becoming a day fairy) and do whatever it takes to survive, even if that means telling others what to do.
Honestly I thought this was a terrible book. There really was no good message or moral to the story. Flory came off as really self-centered and mean throughout the whole book and gave the message that it is okay to be rude and negative towards others to make yourself benefit from it. Although she does create two friends and saves a creature in the book the only reason Flory does this is because it benefited her. It didn't make her feel good, except that she would get something in return, and really has no emotions towards anyone but herself. This is a book I would not recommend to read.