Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina
Growing up on the Osage Indian reservation, Maria Tallchief was a gifted pianist and dancer. According to Osage tradition, women are not permitted to dance, but Maria’s parents recognized her gifts and allowed her to break the rule. Then when Maria reached the age of twelve, her father told her it was time to choose between her two loves. Maria chose ballet. It was a decision that would change not only the course of her life, but the face of classical ballet in America. The fascinating story of Maria Tallchief’s rise to become America’s prima ballerina will captivate young readers.
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Maria Tallchief
Maria Tallchief, born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief, was an Osage ballerina. She was America's first major prima ballerina and the first Native American to hold the rank. Together with Georgian-American choreographer George Balanchine, she is widely considered to have revolutionized...
Read MoreRosemary Wells
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books who uses animal characters to address real human issues. Her books Max & Ruby and Timothy Goes to School were both adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series. She co-wrote...
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