Orchard Books Ella Bella Ballerina and the Magic Toyshop

Both my 3 and 5 year old enjoyed the story. Lovely as a bedtime story.

This book is supposed to be new but it doesn’t look new judging by the corner.

Beautiful book.

Bought this a gift for our adopted granddaughter for Christmas. Very impressed with the quality and presentation of the book.

This is an ideal gift for a young child especially if gifted before a visit to see the actual ballet production. It is a part of a series that introduces young children to the stories in the classic ballets, which can sometimes be difficult to follow the wordless plot especially for young children who may keep asking who is that? what's s/he doing? at inopportune moments!The story is introduced in a gentle way within Ella Bella's own dance classes as she dreams herself into the story as an observer of the plot from the viewpoint of a young child rather than an analysing adult.A great parallel series to Mayhew's art explaining collection starring Katie and like that series it demystifies and democratises arts which can be seen as stuffy or posh. I like the fact it explains the plot and gives context about the ballet, original production and composer at the back too though as an adult I do find the character of Ella Bella a little twee and 'practically perfect' myself but children seem to like her. We are going to purchase the Nutcracker for our obsessed 5 year old!