Smash hit

Clair is alternately brow-beaten and ignored by her monstrously ambitious grandmother, Madame Nuit, who, it transpires, also ruined her own daughter’s life.

“She did not see Clair-de-Lune’s inability to speak as an affliction. She saw it as a gift; a blessing. Why should the child need to speak? She could dance, couldn’t she?” Fanatical about The Dance, Madame Nuit is reminiscent of many mothers who crush their children through vicarious ambition.

Tentatively, the “entirely biddable” Clair begins to trust not only the bold, self-confident mouse but the quiet, sympathetic monk with her true, inner self. She feels speaking is dangerous because it makes people dislike her, but is told: “If you do not speak, no one will ever be able to truly like you, either . . . No one can truly like or dislike what they do not know.”

The real danger for Clair-de-Lune is not other people’s dislike: it is dancing the same fatal dance that led to her mother’s death — or did it? The heroic Bonadventure sacrifices himself to save our frail heroine, and give her a happy future, but what will remain in the memory of children lucky enough to read this miniature masterpiece is that, as the mouse puts it, “a full life must have its cats”.

What's more...

ANGELINA BALLERINA (2+)
by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig
Puffin, £4.99

Another ballerina mouse.

THE BALLET CLASS (5+)
by Adèle Geras and Shelagh McNicholas
Orchard, £5.99

Sweet, sensitive book about a girl's debut.

THE ORCHARD BOOK OF STORIES FROM THE BALLET (6+)
by Geraldine McCaughrean and Angela Barrett
Orchard, £12.99

Ten classic tales retold.

BALLET SHOES (8+)
by Noel Streatfeild
Orion, £9.99

Three orphaned girls dance and act to fame.

A COMPANY OF SWANS (12+)
by Eva Ibbotson
Century, available second-hand

Gorgeously rich romantic comedy.

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