Pardon My French

“Pardon My French — It’s the Language of Ballet.”

The Adventures of Lilly Nilly.

Story of Precocious Ballerina Sparks Joie de Vivre in the Hearts of Young Readers

With a turn of her tutu and a playful plié, precocious 6-year-old ballerina Lilly Nilly dances her way into readers’ hearts with a joie de vivre that will entertain and inspire kids and adults alike. The new children’s Book, Pardon My French. It’s the Language of Ballet: The Adventures of Lilly Nilly, the author Nancy Paris, wants just that!

From the creative mind of real-life former NYC-based dancer and choreographer Nancy Paris, Pardon My French takes young readers inside the mind of a spunky, determined young dance student whose self-appointed mission is to figure out what the heck ballet — and coincidentally life — are all about.

Lilly Nilly uniquely sees the world and delivers her humorous, offbeat observations with childlike honesty. She wears her curiosity on her sleeve and asks burning questions like, “Why can’t you hang upside down on a ballet barre if it looks just like an ordinary bar?” Or, “If you’re going to travel in a carpool, should you wear a bathing suit?”

“Young readers will find Lilly’s stories funny and very relatable, especially if they are ballet students themselves,” Paris said. “Adults will find her sharp wit and strong-willed spirit a charming reminder of just how empowering a joyful approach to life can be.”

Pardon My French — It’s the Language of Ballet is complete with illustrations that only Lilly Nilly could have drawn — with some help from Paris, who used her experiences as a professional dancer and teacher to inform her narrative. Her mission, Paris said, is to encourage all readers to trust their instincts, seek their own answers, and be kind to all.