What nine-year-old Jennifer Allen wants most in the world is to be a ballet dancer. And, despite a discouraging debut under the tutelage of cigar-chomping Mr. Vincent, and the warning from her friend Danielle that “it’s not all glamour,” Jennifer is determined to follow her dream.

Prima Ballerina Veronica Tennant’s entrancing story of a young girl’s first steps in the world of dance, enhanced by artist Rita Briansky’s delightful illustrations, has proved a continuing favourite with readers of all ages, in Canada and abroad.

Veronica Tennant's profile page

Rita Briansky's profile page

Author Veronica Tennant penned On Stage, Please while principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada. Upon retiring from The National Ballet, she began a career in television as a host, producer, creative consultant, and writer, and in the theatre as an associate director, choreographer, and performer. She is the author of numerous magazine and newspaper articles, as well as a second children’s book, The Nutcracker (McClelland & Stewart).

Illustrator Rita Briansky studied art in Montreal and New York, and has taught at the Saidye Bronfman Centre in Montreal. She created the art for an early Tundra title, Grandmother Came from Dworitz.

“A simple, direct, unpretentious and utterly charming insight into the years of devotion, hard work, steadfast purpose and personal sacrifice that are part of the successful career of anyone on the ballet world.”
–Opera Canada

“Carefully crafted and highly realistic. Tennant’s style is as delicate as her dancing…a wonderful fictionalized handbook.”
–Toronto Sun

“Delightful and highly informative.”
–Montreal Star