Nancy Haydon

What little girl doesn't dream of being a prima ballerina? I know my 6 year old niece has such aspirations, as she now realises she can't be a princess. "Stitch me an Angelina Ballerina cross stitch for my bedroom, Aunty" she begged, as she pirouetted around the living room in her tutu, dancing along with the tiny ballerina in her musical box.

I'm sure Katie isn't the first little girl to want to be surrounded by Angelina Ballerina cross stitch and other pictures of ballerinas. In fact ballet has been a popular theme in art throughout the years.

You only need to think back to the French artist Edgar Degas and his fascination with ballet and the female human figure. Painting the dancers in pastel he captured them at rehearsal, waiting to go on stage and during their performances. Sketches of live models done in his studio were combined into groups of ballerinas for the final piece.

Modern day illustrator Helen Craig, had similar dreams to Katie when she was younger and also loved drawing. Previously a photographer Helen didn't start her book illlustrating career until she was 40, and later in 1983, she partnered with author Katharine Holabird to illustrate the Angelina Ballerina children's stories. Drawing on memories of her own childhood, where there was no electricity and candles and oil lamps were the only means of light come evening, she has won numerous awards for her depictions of this little white mouse.

Katherine Holabird, nursery school teacher and mother of two young daughters, began writing the stories in 1982. To date there are 20 books in the series and the animated character has her own TV show.

Angelina Ballerina is a stubborn young mouse, who manages to get herself out of all sorts of trouble with a smile and a giggle. She, like Katie, would love to become a prima ballerina and in the meantime attends Miss Lilly's dance classes along with her friends Alice and William Longtail (who has a crush on Angelina).

Bringing the connection with arts and crafts right up to date, DMC have created a range of Angelina Ballerina cross stitch kits on 16 count Aida. Featuring Angelina and her friends, the stitched pieces make a great addition to any little girl's gallery of ballerinas.