I first read the Drina series many moons ago and didn't really think that much of them. Though I devoured titles by people like Noel Streatfeild and Lorna Hill, the Drina books always felt a little bit more pedestrian to me. They were pleasant pedestrian, if such a thing could be, but they were definitely pedestrian. Enjoyable to read, but when you were done, you were done.

Ballet For Drina, plus a handful of other titles from the series, recently surfaced in a nearby shop to me and I picked them up - partially to see if I still thought they were pedestrian, but also to simply read something pleasant. Something simple. If ever a year demands such books to have their time, it is this. And so Ballet for Drina, Drina Dances in Switzerland (you know you're in a classic kid's series when you get to Switzerland my friends), and Drina Goes on Tour made their way home with me.

And yes, Ballet For Drina still had that slightly pedestrian edge to it, but it also had something rather wonderful and that was the bones of a very classic ballet story. Girl discovers talent, works at it, deals with problems in her way, becomes good. It won't reinvent the wheel by any means, but it does what it does in a real solid and rather satisfying fashion. I also found it pleasing that the difficulty of this path is emphasised: being a ballerina is not easy and requires sacrifice from all concerned. Yes, some of the moments are Slightly Ridiculous, but all good classic children's lit has that mildly ridiculous edge. We allow it because we believe in the world, and the world of Drina - even though it's full of balletomanes on every corner and she goes to dos wearing a little white dress with a scarlet capes (ugh, I love it) - is believable. It really is.

There's a lot here to love; it has that Blytonian quality of being almost grimly readable and accessible, and I think the earlier books where Drina is young, could still provide a lot of appeal for contemporary young readers. And that's because, in many ways, this is still a stone cold classic piece of children's literature.

I received this book from my cousin when I was quite young, perhaps about 8 or 9. I'm not sure how many times I read it as a child, but it was a favorite. I loved the illustration on the cover- the edition I had as a child was the Scholastic edition with the pink cover.

A few years ago, I was poking around online and found out that there were five books in this series. I tracked down #2 and #5, though I was unable to find the others.

Then, on Goodreads, I saw someone's review that mentioned that there are 11 Drina books, all written in the early 60s. I just bought the full set on eBay and my 9 day stay at home with illness has been much improved with these books.

I love seeing the charming illustrations, the very same ones I loved as a little girl. Like Drina, I also had a dancer for a parent. I never considered ballet as a career, but it was a large part of my childhood and I love reliving it with these books.

I've decided 2013 is going to be a heavy re-reading year, and I'm starting with this amazing series. It was one of my favorites growing up, and I have to say the writing actually does stand the test of time. This is even more impressive than normal, considered it was written in the 1950s! Drina reminds me so much of myself - very passionate, intensely focused to the point of obsessiveness, and prone to anxiety before important activities - and these traits allowed me to bond with her intensely as a child. I can already see that re-reading these books are going to be bringing back some wonderful memories.

I wasn't a dancer when I was younger (much too uncoordinated for ballet lessons), but I loved the covers of these books and bought them all to read. I recall having a somewhat difficult time reading them (written in British English, so weird spelling, punctuation, and phrasing) but overall a good kids story.

Some of the alternate titles I found while looking this book up were interesting, especially the one where Drina's name had been changed to Cindy.

The first in a most captivating series of books for those who love ballet, particularly girls aged 10 - 12 years. I have such fond memories of the reading experience: eagerly going to the library in anticipation of the next one being on the shelf, finding a quiet place to read where I would be undisturbed as I was drawn into the story, full of emotional warmth and beautifully written and illustrated. You just wanted to be Drina's best friend. Very moving, I think.

Any story that is based on a child who has a passion for something is a worthy read. A child with a passion is not likely to be bored or to get into serious trouble. Any girl who has a passion for something that requires setting goals and serious work, will be able to identify with Drina.

Absolutely loved this series when I was a youngster...

Decided to re-read these books after about 33 years.

Not much to say. This is our introduction to Drina, destined to dance and unknowingly the daughter of a famous ballerina. It's very dated.

Not as good as the Shoes books, but still really satisfying for my inner ten year old balletomane.

5*s on behalf of the 8 year old me!

I had the first three books growing up and lived out my desire to ndace reading and rereading them. There is smething charming in their readability. It is only now I find there are 11 books in total, but I feel fortunate to have had them as favourites at the age where they could impact the most. So it was for me.

Ich hatte als Kind auch eine Ballettphase, wenn auch nur über Bücher ;) die Cindy-Bücher fand ich damals alle super und hab mir eines nach dem anderen von der Omi schenken lassen oder selbst vom Taschengeld gekauft.

Gerade habe ich gesehen, dass sie im Englischen "Drina" heisst ... wer kommt bitteschön auf die Idee, jemand von Drina nach Cindy zu übersetzen für den deutschen Buchmarkt? Wieso nicht gleich Steffi oder Lisa? ^^