In A Young Dancer’s Apprenticeship, ballet dancer Olympia Dowd tells her story of joining the Moscow City Ballet at the age of 14. Resembling a glossy souvenir program for an international tour, this book records the experiences of the British Columbian dancer. She trained one year in Russia and then toured Asia and Britain as the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and Carmen in Carmen Suite, as well as performing roles in Swan Lake, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker.

Olympia’s captivating story, which she wrote two years later, includes a good balance of the hardships of tough rehearsals, the thrill of performing, and the quiet evenings spent mending pointe shoes or reading. She writes fondly of visits with her mom, dad, and brother, who all joined her for parts of her time abroad. During her Asian tour, Olympia provides rich descriptions of everything from the narrow sidewalks in Taichung, Taiwan, to the exotic foods sold by street vendors. She speaks candidly of the poor eating habits she develops, wavering between dieting and bingeing on a daily basis.

Some photos simply show Olympia travelling on a bus, walking in downtown Moscow, or sipping tea in bed. One excellent photo shows her asleep, sitting with her feet soaking in the tub. Most photos, however, depict the ultra-glamorous world of dancing. We see Olympia in her Carmen outfit again and again, on spread after spread. More photos capturing the gruelling side of ballet and off-stage adventures would have enhanced the book’s visual scope. Despite this minor flaw, this book will make an attractive gift for aspiring dancers, dreamers, and fans of ballet.