Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review - Ella Bella Ballerina and A Midsummer Night's Dream

Monday, August 17, 2015

Book Review - Ella Bella Ballerina and A Midsummer Night's Dream

Ella Bella Ballerina and A Midsummer Night's Dream

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About the Book
Here is the newest title in Barron's delightful Ella Bella series! In this story, Ella's kindly ballet teacher, Madame Rosa, has given the children costumes to wear as her magical music box pours out a shimmering tune. "This is A Midsummer Night's Dream by Felix Mendelssohn," she says, as she tells the children about the Shakespearean story that inspired Mendelssohn's ballet. When Madame Rosa is through, she asks all of her little ballerinas to "dance like fairies!"

When everyone else goes off to change, Ella stays behind for just one more fairy dance…and finds herself transported into the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream. There, she meets Puck, the mischievous fairy, and Oberon, King of Fairyland. Oberon asks Puck to help him win back the heart of Titania, his fairy queen. Puck, in turn, enlists Ella to help him in his midsummer mischief. This charming story is beautifully illuminated by James Mayhew's whimsical, lovely, and colorful illustrations. A brief passage at the back of the book tells the story of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy. It also includes some interesting facts about Felix Mendelssohn and his sparkling, scurrying, enchanting music.



My Take on the Book
This is the newest title in James Mayhew's Ella Bella series. It is a sweet story about Ella Bella and her creative imaginative trip to fairyland. Ella is transported to fairyland via a special fairy costume and listening to Felix Mendelssohn's music for A Midsummer Night's Dream. She meets various fairy folk and assists in bringing the queen and king of fairyland back together.


The illustrations by James Mayhew are delicate, colorful and perfectly accompany the text he wrote. He provided many beautiful details which your child will enjoy as you read the story.


If you have a young ballerina in your family, I encourage you to view all the Ella Bella stories written by James Mayhew.


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