Synopses & Reviews
A boy discovers his passion for dance and becomes a modern hero in this inspiring picture book biography of Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;When Robert Battle was a boy wearing leg braces, he never dreamed heand#8217;d study at Juilliard. Though most dancers begin training at an early age, it wasnand#8217;t until Robert was a teenager that his appreciation for movementand#8212;first from martial arts, then for balletand#8212;became his passion. But support from his family and teachers paired with his desire and determination made it possible for Robert to excel. After years of hard work, the young man who was so inspired by a performance of Alvin Aileyand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Revelationsandlt;/iandgt; became the artistic director of the very company that motivated him. Today, under Robertand#8217;s leadership, Alvin Ailey continues to represent the African American spirit through dance.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Featuring illustrations brimming with vibrant color and swirling motion, this biographical picture book from husband-and-wife team James Ransome and Lisa Cline-Ransome includes a foreword from Robert Battle himself as well as a bibliography, suggested further reading, and an authorand#8217;s note.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was founded in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. He envisioned a company dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience. When Mr. Ailey began creating dances, he drew upon his and#8220;blood memoriesand#8221; of his home state of Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel inspiration, which resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, andlt;iandgt;Revelationsandlt;/iandgt;. Since its founding, the company has performed in seventy-one countries on six continents. Itand#8217;s repertory includes works by Mr. Ailey and ninety other choreographers, and new works are commissioned each year. Judith Jamison succeeded Mr. Ailey as artistic director, and in 2011, she selected Robert Battle to be her successor. Learn more at AlvinAiley.org.
Synopsis
"In James E. Ransome's realistic pastel portraits, Battle, his family and his teachers all seem lit from within." --
The New York Times Book Review "An ongoing success story for all readers and especially Ailey's worldwide legion of fans." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A boy discovers his passion for dance and becomes a modern hero in this inspiring picture book biography of Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
When Robert Battle was a boy wearing leg braces, he never dreamed he'd study at Juilliard. Though most dancers begin training at an early age, it wasn't until Robert was a teenager that his appreciation for movement--first from martial arts, then for ballet--became his passion. But support from his family and teachers paired with his desire and determination made it possible for Robert to excel. After years of hard work, the young man who was so inspired by a performance of Alvin Ailey's Revelations became the artistic director of the very company that motivated him. Today, under Robert's leadership, Alvin Ailey continues to represent the African American spirit through dance.
Featuring illustrations brimming with vibrant color and swirling motion, this biographical picture book from husband-and-wife team James Ransome and Lisa Cline-Ransome includes a foreword from Robert Battle himself as well as a bibliography, suggested further reading, and an author's note.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was founded in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. He envisioned a company dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience. When Mr. Ailey began creating dances, he drew upon his "blood memories" of his home state of Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel inspiration, which resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, Revelations. Since its founding, the company has performed in seventy-one countries on six continents. It's repertory includes works by Mr. Ailey and ninety other choreographers, and new works are commissioned each year. Judith Jamison succeeded Mr. Ailey as artistic director, and in 2011, she selected Robert Battle to be her successor. Learn more at AlvinAiley.org.
Synopsis
"In James E. Ransome's realistic pastel portraits, Battle, his family, and his teachers all seem lit from within." --The New York Times Book Review A boy discovers his passion for dance and becomes a modern hero in this inspiring picture book biography of Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
When Robert Battle was a boy wearing leg braces, he never dreamed he'd study at Juilliard. Though most dancers begin training at an early age, it wasn't until Robert was a teenager that his appreciation for movement--first from martial arts, then for ballet--became his passion. But support from his family and teachers paired with his desire and determination made it possible for Robert to excel. After years of hard work, the young man who was so inspired by a performance of Alvin Ailey's Revelations became the artistic director of the very company that motivated him. Today, under Robert's leadership, Alvin Ailey continues to represent the African American spirit through dance.
Featuring illustrations brimming with vibrant color and swirling motion, this biographical picture book from husband-and-wife team James Ransome and Lisa Cline-Ransome includes a foreword from Robert Battle himself as well as a bibliography, suggested further reading, and an author's note.
About the Author
Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of several books for children including the award-winning andlt;iandgt;Satchel Paigeandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Major Taylor, Champion Cyclistandlt;/iandgt;, both illustrated by her husband, James E. Ransome. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, she holds a Masterandrsquo;s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from NYU. She lives with her family in upstate New York. Visit her at LesaClineRansome.com.James E. Ransomeandrsquo;s highly acclaimed illustrations for andlt;iandgt;Knock, Knock: My Dadandrsquo;s Dream for Meandlt;/iandgt; won the 2014 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. His other award-winning titles include Coretta Scott King Honor Book andlt;iandgt;Uncle Jedandrsquo;s Barbershopandlt;/iandgt; by Margaree King Mitchell; Deborah Hopkinsonandrsquo;s andlt;iandgt;Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quiltandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Let My People Goandlt;/iandgt;, winner of the NAACP Image Award; and andlt;iandgt;Satchel Paige,andlt;/iandgt; written by his wife, Lesa. Mr. Ransome teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in upstate New York with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was founded in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. He envisioned a company dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience. When Mr. Ailey began creating dances, he drew upon his andldquo;blood memoriesandrdquo; of his home state of Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel inspiration, which resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, andlt;iandgt;Revalationsandlt;/iandgt;. Since its founding, the company has performed in seventy-one countries on six continents. Itandrsquo;s repertory includes works by Mr. Ailey and ninety other choreographers, and new works are commissioned each year. Judith Jamison succeeded Mr. Ailey as artistic director, and in 2011, she selected Robert Battle tob e her successor. Learn more at AlvinAiley.org.