Comments on: Vintage Bookshelf :: Little Ballerina

By: JoAnn McCloskey

JoAnn McCloskey — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 22:09:06 +0000

I still remember the first page and what it said- Carol and her dog Cindy watched the children playing outside. Carol wanted to play with them, but she could not because her legs were weak. It made her tired to run and play like the other boys and girls. ( I can remember more to this story). Made quite an impact on me. I am now 63 yrs old.!!

By: Alix

Alix — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 05:14:03 +0000

In reply to Barb D. Aw, that's so awesome! It's such a great book....

By: Barb D

Barb D — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 04:24:15 +0000

I was so thrilled to find this book. It was a favorite when I was little and started me on a lifelong love of ballet. I’ve been trying to find it for years. I finally googled children’s book ballet polio and it came up. I just ordered a copy for myself

By: Bluejay Young

Bluejay Young — Thu, 19 May 2016 05:37:35 +0000

Weak legs are definitely an appropriate subject for children’s books at that time. Polio was a constant reality. Summer was polio season when children were forbidden to go swimming, or even go outside to play. There is probably no one of my generation who did not have at least one classmate in braces. Lots of children who had been mildly stricken had dance recommended for physical therapy.
Pam, could your book have been The How and Why Wonder Book of Ballet?
And I agree, young fellows took ballet at that time. I was never told it was a sissy thing, only that boys don’t dance en pointe. Oh yeah? I found out recently some guys do!

By: Lynn Grice

Lynn Grice — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:52:47 +0000

As a child from that era that was stuck in the house for a year due to rheumatic fever, I so related to this little girl with the weak legs. I had this book, but it got ruined, but the pictures and story have stuck with me all these years. Never got to take ballet lessons, though.

By: Marla

Marla — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 02:54:17 +0000

I had the same books- ballerina and majorette- was OBSESSED with all the pretty pictures. Used to stare at them while reading in bed. And- same story- I was shy as a little girl and now no one believes me. I overcompensated and now I often talk too much. Great seeing those pictures!!!