Cowboys at the Ballet
The Story of Choreographer Agnes de Mille
Claire Wrenn Bobrow author Ilaria Urbinati illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Publishing:9th Apr '26
£12.99
This title is due to be published on 9th April, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
A spirited picture book about the epic struggle and dramatic breakthrough of Agnes de Mille, the legendary choreographer of Oklahoma! and Carousel whose work changed the course of Broadway history.
Something new is about to happen,
something extraordinary.
In a dusty California town, Agnes de Mille dreams of becoming a dancer. She gallops to New York, then London, performing a show here, a dance there, combining old steps with new. But no one knows what to make of Agnes. She’s not a ballet dancer or a modern dancer or a folk dancer. So what is she? Then one summer she attends a rodeo, where the cowboys’ powerful and unbridled movements transform her life—and the history of dance—forever.
* “[A] dynamic biographical story that’s rendered with verve . . . Infused with rose- and poppy-hued coloring, Urbinati’s lightly sketched digital artwork effectively captures the energy of de Mille and her work, frequently depicting the subject and dancers mid-leap. Combined with Wrenn Bobrow’s vivacious narration, the result is a spirited appreciation.” -- Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Through lively, folksy text, and by sharing de Mille’s unique vision, Bobrow may inspire readers to follow a genuine path of their own. Urbinati’s digital illustrations are fluid, employing delicate, graceful lines and a warm color palette of dusty rose, burnt orange, and deep mahogany reds." -- Horn Book
“A high-stepping tribute to a young dancer who hit her stride not onstage but at a rodeo. . . . the dancers’ sense of movement—everyone looks ready to burst into action—strongly reflects the narrative’s buoyant, irresistible energy. En pointe for any lovers of dance or its history.” -- Kirkus Reviews
“Her determined spirit and endless experimentation twirl and leap about the pages, the long, loose linework an elegant match for her graceful movements. The main text ends with the premiere of De Mille’s celebrated ballet Rodeo, which launched her career at long last.” -- Booklist
ISBN: 9781665957878
Dimensions: 229mm x 279mm x 8mm
Weight: 490g
48 pages