These four graceful young ladies, members of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, embodied this refrain from the book Beautiful Ballerina (Scholastic Press) onstage at the Scholastic Auditorium earlier this month. The dancers, ages 3 to 17, are featured in the book by Marilyn Nelson (far right) with photographs by Susan Kuklin (back row, second from left). Actress Lynn Whitfield recited the poem as Raven Barkley (between Kuklin and Nelson) danced. Kuklin offers a behind-the-scenes view of the making of the book on her blog. Endalyn Taylor, director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, introduced the ballet "Inspired by a Dream," choreographed by Arthur Mitchell, who founded the dance company shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Taylor said, "Dance gives voice and expression to your body, mind and soul."
