A Dancer's Tale: The Story of Phyllis Spira

Name: A Dancer's Tale: The Story of Phyllis Spira
Author: Thea Nicole de Klerk

by Thea Nicole de Klerk

Ages 3–86 min readNever Give UpFree to read

Phyllis Spira was dancing by the age of four. That was just the beginning of her journey towards becoming one of South Africa’s Prima Ballerinas.

The true, rhyming story of a girl who danced from age four to the world's great stages — proof that loving something and practicing it can carry you far.

Read this story

Credits & license

Written by Thea Nicole de Klerk & Samantha Cutler & Roberto Pita

License: CC BY 4.0

Source: Global Digital Library

Learn more about our sources

Questions to talk about together

Phyllis practiced ballet before school and after school every single day — why do you think she loved it so much?
She was only fifteen when she went far away to London to chase her dream — how do you think she felt leaving home?
Is there something you love so much you'd want to practice it every day?