New York Times bestselling artist Susan Jeffers has created a Nutcracker unlike any that has gone before, with a lovely spare text ba...
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reviews
Dec 11, 2008
Kathryn
rated it: 
I'm so glad Chandra brought this lovely version of "The Nutcracker" to my attention. It is based on the ballet version of The Nutcracker and I loved seeing all those elements (right down to Marie throwing her ballet slipper at the Mouse King!) and the really lovely Land of Sweets populated with all manner of ballerina-versions of candy and flowers and snowflakes! :-) Dear to my heart since once, years ago, I was Marie in "The Nutcracker."
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Nov 22, 2008
Chandra
rated it:
The first thing that readers need to know about this book is that it is an abridged version of the E.T.A. Hoffman story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. So, while there are many familiar elements from the Tchaikovsky ballet adaptation, there are also some unfamiliar elements. For example, the female protagonist is Maria - not Clara. Judging by some amazon reviews these minor differences really got under some people's skin so I think it's important to mention.
The other thing to More...
The other thing to More...
Dec 18, 2009
Mary Ann
rated it: 
Set in the Victorian times, this version of the Nutcracker is a beautiful, simple introduction to the story and the ballet. Jeffer's illustrations bring alive a sense of wonder and enchantment. The soft hues and intricate details will draw young children into the story. She captures the excitement and emotional tenor of the story in a way that captivates audiences. The simple text clearly explains the gift of the Nutcracker at the Christmas party, the Nutcracker's fight with the Mouse King,
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Nov 20, 2007
Jane
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Great adaptation of The Nutcracker. Finally a simplified version that children will understand and enjoy. Beautiful illustration as usual for Jeffers. this will be a seasonal favorite.
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Nov 13, 2011
Erin
rated it:
Copyright: 2007
Genre: Picture Book
This was a great adaption of "The Nutcracker" story. In the author's note in the back, Jeffers wrote that one of her purposes for writing this book was to create a less lengthy version of the story that could easily be read to a child. I think that Jeffers met this goal really well while staying true to the story. I love the length because it makes it possible for me to introduce "The Nutcracker" to my music students and com More...
Genre: Picture Book
This was a great adaption of "The Nutcracker" story. In the author's note in the back, Jeffers wrote that one of her purposes for writing this book was to create a less lengthy version of the story that could easily be read to a child. I think that Jeffers met this goal really well while staying true to the story. I love the length because it makes it possible for me to introduce "The Nutcracker" to my music students and com More...
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Dec 19, 2011
Dolly
rated it:
This is a beautifully illustrated version of The Nutcracker. The narrative is short enough to keep the attention of young children and the illustrations have a lot of detail and action. I discovered this book for sale at a souvenir stand where our girls and I had just seen a performance of the Nutcracker, and so I perused the book while our girls ooh'd and ahh'd at the Nutcrackers and such. It's a great book to read to children so they can understand the story, especially before taking them t
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Nov 13, 2011
Lachelle
rated it:
Fantasy
Ages 3-8
Hardcover
A childrens version of how the nutcracker came to life and took the little girl on adventures.This is an excellent version of this story because it is shortened to get the childrens attention without boring them. The author of this book was on the Adult New York Times Bestseller List. She also won the ABBY on the American Booksellers Association along with other awards. The watercolors in the book are just enuough to bring the story to life. I think wh More...
Ages 3-8
Hardcover
A childrens version of how the nutcracker came to life and took the little girl on adventures.This is an excellent version of this story because it is shortened to get the childrens attention without boring them. The author of this book was on the Adult New York Times Bestseller List. She also won the ABBY on the American Booksellers Association along with other awards. The watercolors in the book are just enuough to bring the story to life. I think wh More...
Dec 15, 2009
Mary-Michelle
rated it:
I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend's niece and it is a beautifully illustrated book. I love the fact that the sugar plum fairy is depicted as a ballerina instead of a fairy. The text on each page is short enough to make it an enjoyable picture book but still tells all the necessary details of the story.
All in all it has beautiful party dresses and ballerinas, which makes it a perfect gift for a three year old.
All in all it has beautiful party dresses and ballerinas, which makes it a perfect gift for a three year old.
Jul 19, 2010
Julia
rated it:
Beautiful art, classic story.
My kids love this book and I never mind reading it to them. I'm not always nuts about the "and-then-they-get-married-and-that-makes-everything-awesome" endings, but this version espouses the value of inner beauty and Marie holds her own with the mouse king so I let it slide. :)
My kids love this book and I never mind reading it to them. I'm not always nuts about the "and-then-they-get-married-and-that-makes-everything-awesome" endings, but this version espouses the value of inner beauty and Marie holds her own with the mouse king so I let it slide. :)
Dec 04, 2008
Phuong
rated it:
I just read this to Maura and she loved it. She wanted to read again as soon as we'd finished. We're going to go see the ballet in a couple of weeks, so this was a very good introduction to the story for her. It's written at a level that she understands and the illustrations are beautiful.
Dec 20, 2011
carissa
rated it:
An abridged version of the story of Marie Stahlbaum, who helps break the spell on her toy nutcracker and watches him change into a handsome prince.
Beautiful artwork that includes elements of the ballet.
Beautiful artwork that includes elements of the ballet.
Dec 08, 2008
oplkids
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Beautifully illustrated, abridged version of the Christmas classic, with our own resident, Meghan Morkal-Williams as the model for Marie.
Dec 29, 2010
Joni
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Our favorite Nutcracker, very short simple story and focuses on the ballet. Beautiful book, all the children loved it.
Dec 07, 2010
tay3lor
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i had to read this for being in the Nutcracker...it was okay i looooooooooooooooooved preforming it tho!
Sep 01, 2011
Melanie
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A rather nondescript version of The Nutcracker. Well-illustrated and written for a good read-aloud.
Dec 23, 2008
Cindi
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I really liked this simplified version of the story of the nutcracker. We had just watched the ballet, so it was fun to read through this (we haven't read the longer version yet).
Dec 02, 2008
Penny
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The pictures in this book are exquisite! You can truly tell this book by its cover!
Apr 05, 2008
babyhippoface
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Susan Jeffers' retelling of the traditional Christmas tale is marked by two qualities that set it apart from other versions: it is short enough to be read aloud at one sitting, and it incorporates the ballet. Her elegant ink and watercolor illustrations feature many scenes of dancing. This is an excellent choice for younger children who don't have the attention span for the entire fairy tale.
Jan 30, 2008
Erin
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This book is beautifully illustrated and simply told, which is perfect for a quick bedtime story. It's the best nutcracker book I've seen.
Nov 07, 2007
Yara
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Most Nutcracker books are too long for young children, but this one is just right and the illustrations are good too.
Feb 03, 2012
