Prima Princessa Presents The Nutcracker, a DVD for young children ages 3-6, has just been released in the United Kingdom for Christmas 2012. Enjoy the Birmingham Royal Ballet performing excerpts from The Nutcracker, narrated especially for children by a cartoon fairy-ballerina. Dance along to fun ballet step demonstrations featuring students from the School of American Ballet, the official academy of the New York City Ballet. Created by two ballet-loving mums from the USA, this show appears annually on American TV during the Christmas season.
It's never too soon to introduce ballet to children, especially when it is as wonderful and accessible as the scenes from The Nutcracker. This is such a child friendly DVD which makes children want to join in and dance along and is a lovely introduction to this classical ballet.
The story of The Nutcracker is explained through the fun narration of the cartoon fairy (and the fairy talks with an English accent) so even the youngest children understand the story behind the performance.
The introduction to simple ballet moves is an interactive element that the kids really enjoy. They will be performing a passe and a pirouette before you know it!! The DVD has some fun festive extras too.
Best friends Stephanie Troeller and Mary Kate Mellow are the women behind Prima Princessa.
“Taking a young child to the ballet can be not only expensive, but it is difficult for toddlers to sit still for a 3-hour performance. Our shows are designed to expose 3-6 year old children to classical ballet through a fun interactive, animated, and educational experience, where they are encouraged to get up and dance along,” says Stephanie.
It can now be found on Amazon.co.uk for £5.99. For ballerina coloring pages, on-line ballerina games and more visit PrimaPrincessa.com.
Me and my girls love watching a good girlie movie together snuggled up under our Slankets! When we were offered the chance to review the new Christmas movie from Revolver Entertainment, we were looking forward to getting a new classic in our festive repetoire. A Christmas Princess is a delightful family film starring Roger Moore, Sam Heughan and Katie McGrath.
The story follows the life of Jules, a young woman down on her luck and bringing up two children after her sister and her husband Charles die. She receives an unexpected invitation from her niece and nephew's estranged grandfather who is a rich duke living in a fairy tale castle in Castleford, Europe. He had cut off his son Charles for marrying an untitled woman, but following his death wants to make amends. Although he had good intentions of having a family Christmas, he is very grumpy and soon regrets his decision and does not enjoy being reminded of his dead son and does not want to celebrate the festive season.
Accident prone Jules and the spirited Maddy and Milo are very different to the rich family they are staying with. The children have some trouble adjusting to their situation, meeting their father's family, especially as he doesn't approve of Christmas celeberations. Milo gets in trouble and Maddy worries about Santa finding her. But they soon begin to melt the hearts of the austere staff and bring joy to Castlebury. Jules meets Charles's brother Ashton and an unlikely friendship follows.
Jules and the children bring Christmas spirit to the heartless castle and even the grumpy grandfather starts to soften and plans a Christmas Eve Ball. A misunderstanding threatens to ruin everything. Will everything get sorted out before Christmas? Will Jules discover that sometimes dreams do come true?
We loved this! It had all the ingredients of a fabulous family film. We laughed out loud, we shed a tear and cheered at some of Roger Moore's moments! Our favourite part of the movie was the dance scene with Ashton and Jules. He tries to teach her to waltz and she gets him to loosen up and go ghetto. It is a lovely romantic story where the girl gets her prince, the value of family comes first and Christmas spirit melts even the frostiest hearts.
*****
If you fancy a bit more festive cheer this Christmas, The Nutcracker comes to UK cinemas for a select run of dates from December 22nd. The live recording of the New York City Ballet features 70 dancers, 50 children and a 62 piece orchestra, and brings the classic ballet to a wider audience. It would be a perfect Christmas treat for the family over the holidays. Take a look at the video to find out more.
