On Stage, Please

by Veronica Tennant

What nine-year-old Jennifer Allen wants most in the world is to be a ballet dancer. And, despite a discouraging debut under the tutelage of cigar-chomping Mr. Vincent, and the warning from her friend Danielle that “it’s not all glamour,” Jennifer is determined to follow her dream.

Prima Ballerina Veronica Tennant’s entrancing story of a young girl’s first steps in the world of dance, enhanced by artist Rita Briansky’s delightful illustrations, has proved a continuing favourite with readers of all ages, in Canada and abroad.

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Canada

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute ballet middle grade

[Jo-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this book as a kid and my daughter loved it just as much 40 years later when I read it to her (the same physical copy —and I only kept a handful!).

[Atsuki Midori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book as absolute delight to read, and was as lovely as it was nostalgic. You can easily tell the author was a prima herself, from the easy flow of the emotion, to the little monikers and sayings that both current and former dancers can all relate to. As an older reader the only thing I would say is that I wanted more, but I understand the book is targeting younger audiences from 9 years of age. Still, I'd definitely recommend it to people of all ages. It's a valued volume in my collection.

[Erinn B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book from my childhood. Reread it before passing it along to nieces. Nice but lacking any real emotional depth. Some solid dance information as the author was the real thing. Some neat old Toronto references.

[April Marche · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite childhood book. I still have my copy.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. Veronica Tennant, is a wonderful ballerina and a great author. She highlights not only the beauty of ballet but also the struggles in this beautiful novel. I recomend this novel to a ballerina of any age.

[Margot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veronica Tennant was a wonderful dancer. I love the films she produces, but she is not a writer. I was disapointed by this book.
However she knows the facts about ballet and it can be a story for children wondering about ballet.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found a box of my childhood books. I believe I "borrowed " this from my 5th grade teacher. Sorry for not giving it back but re -reading brought back so many memories.