'Sleeping Beauty' Awakes at First Book Signing

After months of production on the Growing Through Arts™ books and toys, it was wonderful to host our very first official book signing at the Joffrey Ballet on May 21.

The book signing was part of Aurora’s Tea Party, an event for children held in conjunction with the Joffrey Ballet’s Academy of Dance’s performance of Sleeping Beauty the same day. Parents snacked on tea sandwiches and fruit while their children enjoyed cupcakes and crafts, such as pointe shoe decorating and coloring in pictures from The Sleeping Beauty Ballet by Aleksandra℠ Practice & Play Book.

Parents and children also eagerly waited in line to get their very own copy of The Sleeping Beauty Ballet by Aleksandra℠. It was so special to see the sparkle in the children’s eyes when they sat with me and told me how much they love taking ballet classes.

I was especially touched by two very thoughtful children who asked if I could sign their books to their school so they could donate their books to their school library.

At one point, as I was signing books, I glanced across the room and saw a mom sitting on the floor reading the book to her daughter. The next day, she sent me an email and told me her daughter loved it so much she made her read it nine times through in one night!

Theresa Perillo, of Chicago, brought her 5-year-old niece, Molly, and her 5-year-old granddaughter, Ava, to the Sleeping Beauty performance. As she stood in line to get a book, Perillo said she was looking forward to reading it to the girls.

“When the kids are watching the performance, their attention span is so short, but this will keep the memories alive,” she said.

Sage Raulston, 7, of Chicago, was engrossed in using yellow and blue crayons to color in a picture of Aurora from the The Sleeping Beauty Ballet by Aleksandra℠ Practice & Play Book at the event.

Sage doesn’t take ballet lessons now, but she says she wants to. “I just like how they can walk on their tip toes,” she says. “I really want to be able to dance like that.”

I hope these books and toys will continue to inspire children like Sage to follow their passion for dance!