Grand Jeté and Me

This Christmas, join a young girl and her grandmother as they embark on a holiday adventure to see The Nutcracker together! Her grandmother, known as Grand Jeté, was once a prima ballerina and danced in The Nutcracker herself, and now she’s sharing the magic of this special ballet. Former prima ballerina Allegra Kent and bestselling Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser collaborate to create an inspiring and festive tale for the littlest dancers and Nutcracker fans everywhere.

Grand Jeté is an expert on everything elegant and makes sure to always model the proper etiquette of a poised ballerina. Her granddaughter wants to be just like her one day.

Take a bow!

Straight spine.

Look your best.

And always carry flowers!

Follow the pair as they embark on an unforgettable trip to their favorite theater to see The Nutcracker—sharing the spirit of ballet wherever they go.

Allegra Kent, legendary ballerina and muse of George Balanchine and Joseph Cornell, was a dancer at New York City Ballet for over thirty years. There she danced in dozens of major roles, many of them in ballets created especially for her by Balanchine. A former teacher at Barnard College, Allegra is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including her autobiography, Once a Dancer . . . , and her first book for children, Ballerina Swan. She lives in New York City.

Robin Preiss Glasser actually wore tiaras and tutus when she danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Now she happily spends her days in jeans, drawing. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including the bestselling Fancy Nancy series. She won the Children’s Choice Award for Best Illustrator of the Year for Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet. Robin and her family live in Southern California.

"A little girl’s visit with her grandmother is filled with dancing from the moment the door opens at her New York City apartment…The detailed illustrations, featuring the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker costumes and sets, are joyous and bubbly."
-Kirkus Reviews