Ella Bella Ballerina and the Magic Toyshop - by James Mayhew (Hardcover)

About the Book

Transported to an enchanted toy shop filled with dancing dolls, Ella is taken with a pair of can-can dancing dolls that are in love. When two different families decide to each buy one of the dolls, the pair is distraught. Ella wonders if there is a way to keep them together. Full color.

Book Synopsis

The 6th book in the delightful Ella Bella Ballerina series will transport you to a magical toyshop with its kind shopkeeper in this re-imagination of Le Boutique Fantasque.

This charming ballet series tells the story of Ella Bella, a little girl who loves to dance. In this story, Ella's ballet teacher, Miss Rosa, tells them the story of La Boutique Fantasque. The story takes place in a toyshop full of dancing dolls, she explains, as she shows them her own collection of dancing dolls and her magical music box. When Ella stays late to help clean up, she finds herself magically transported to a toyshop filled with magical dancing dolls!

Ella is thrilled to meet all the dancing dolls, but she is especially taken with two can-can dancing dolls that are in love. When two different families come to the shop and decide to each buy one of the dolls, the pair are distraught. Now Ella wonders... is there some way to keep them together forever?

This charming tale is beautifully illuminated by James Mayhew's delightful illustrations. Included at the end of the book is an explanation of the original story behind La Boutique Fantasque for young readers.

Review Quotes

"Any child who enjoys ballet and music (not to mention dolls) will really enjoy this book with its lifelike but whimsical illustrations. The final page consists of a brief history of the ballet "La Boutique Fantasque," which gives an additional background to the story. This story is well recommended for a bedtime story or for sharing."
--Catholic Library World

"A wonderfully imaginative and entertaining read from first page to last, "Ella Bella Ballerina and The Magic Toyshop" is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."
--The Midwest Book Review

"The Ella Bella Ballerina series is pretty awesome as the stories are enjoyable to read and the illustrations perfectly compliment the story. A sweet story for little ballerinas everywhere."
-- Living In Random, inrandom.com