Meet Kumakawa, a once successful racehorse named after Tetsuya Kumakawa, a famous ballet dancer. Kuma (as the horse is affectionately known to his friends) is thoroughly enjoying his idyllic retirement on a picturesque farm in the valleys of South Wales, where he can trot freely up the mountain path and sample fresh grass, all under the watchful eyes of his friend Daisy, a sheepdog. After keeping up with their daily karate exercises from their previous adventure, the gang decide to learn ballet, after they discover that Kumakawa's grandfather, Nijinsky was named after the famous Russian ballet dancer...

Today It's Ballet is the second book in the The Adventures of Kumakawa: The Horse That Will Try Anything series. Written with children between the ages of 4-10 in mind, this series looks at exploring and embracing new experiences, even when we feel we are not the perfect size or shape for it.

This represents yet another heart-warming tale, which also educates the young reader into the art of ballet and some of the more import positions. It's most little girls dream to be a ballet dancer, and so this beautifully illustrated book can help teach them a little more about this popular hobby.

It's another charming release in the series, made all the more magical by the wonderful illustrations. It's the perfect book for the very young who are just starting out on their own ballet experience.

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Nick Smithson