A while back, when I was the assistant editor at another dance magazine company, my job was to arrange the products and fashion pages. I received books, t-shirts, gadgets, footcare products, leotards, dance cups, Degas-inspired photo frames, creams, haircare products, tights, and anything, anything, anything that had the slightest resemblance to something that might have to do with dance. It was cool at first, but after a while, those products just piled up on my desk, the floor surrounding, and eventually took over an entire closet! I was overwhelmed by the possibilities. Of all the fun stuff that came my way, I selected 10 items each month to highlight in the magazine.

My favorite task was to review dance books. I loved seeing authors incorporate dance into their stories in fun, interesting ways. I enjoyed reading intense biographies on dance luminaries, or gazing at gorgeous photo essays. Now, one of the authors who sent children's books my way has found me once again, and sent me his latest book, "Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig." Read on for my review, and also for a little shameless plugging!