From the time she wakes at 8 a.m. until the curtain rises at 8 p.m., a prime ballerina’s day is busy, busy, busy with classes, rehearsals and fittings, as well as meals and friendship.

Iris has a busy day before taking the stage in her ballet. She wakes up early and heads to the theater, where she has classes, costume fittings and rehearsals. With a break for lunch and an unexpected change in partners, soon enough it’s almost show time. At half an hour to curtain Iris gets her shoes ready and does a few chainés. The musicians tune their instruments as the stage manager calls for places. At 8:00 the curtain rises . . . and the dancing begins!

“A magical mystery tour for ballet lovers.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Aspiring dancers should be easily drawn into Kent’s methodical detailing of even the smallest moments of a dancer’s routine.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Stock captures the casts’ dancing and resting postures beautifully, bringing their slender forms to life and assuredly captivating young readers with the art of ballet.”
—School Library Journal