Nutcracker Noel

by Kate McMullan, Jim McMullan (Illustrator)

A young girl who has dreamed of dancing in a real ballet learns to be content with the role she is given.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Sports, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Kate McMullan is an American children's book author.
She is the author of the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. She is married to author and illustrator James McMullan.

She also has books published under the name: Katy Hall.

Reviews

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle story about finding your way in whatever role life has for you. Noel is a student in ballet class eagerly looking forward to their production of the Nutcracker. She's sadly disappointed to find she's been cast as a tree. What happens next is a wonderful combination of reality check & ownership

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great story about how attitude and a change in it can affect life. "Why does Mia have her head covered by the costume?" she asked.

[Jaime Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading old Christmas books from my childhood ❤️

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! The pictures really showed the characters attitudes and the drawings were lovely, great depictions of what was occurring in the main character, Noel's, mind. When she was dreaming about being a star the picture showed her looking at herself in the mirror as the star of a real ballet. As well, when she was dreaming about being a tree the picture showed her snug in her bed surround by a forrest. The picture of her as the tree in the Nutcracker with snow falling and the main snow queen dancing on stage was so beautiful and it made me want to go see a ballet myself! The story is relatable to Noel and very believable and the text is easy for young readers to read. As well, the story has a great moral about being nice to those who may not be nice to you as well as taking what you got and making the best out of it and how hard work and starting out slow and working your way up to bigger and better things is a part of life. You could read this book to your children during the holidays as well!

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations. It has a good moral-sometimes you don't realize how good you have it.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I child, my family and I would always involve The Nutcracker suite in our holiday celebrations. This book was no exception. Noel tries out for The Nutcracker and doesn't get the part she wants- instead, she's cast as a tree. She cannot believe her bad luck, and to make matters worse, she is teased by the other girls in her ballet troupe because of it. However, her ballet instructor is able to help Noel see why she made Noel a tree and inspires her to be the best she can.

Beautiful story and the illustrations, while different, fit very well with the book.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snappy dialogue and hilariously realistic body language bring to life a story that clearly illustrates the magic of a carefully crafted perspective. Generously sprinkled with subtle humour (for both adult and child), this is a year round family favourite.

Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:

http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/1...

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noel is a girl who wants to play one of a doll in the Nutcracker ballet her dance school is performing. She gets the part of a tree. She tries to convince her teacher to change her role, and deals with a snotty classmate with an over-fawning mother.

Illustrations are okay.

Got this book after the boys had seen The Nutcracker at the Popejoy Schooltime Series.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought thought that this was a good book for children reaching their dreams. Noel starts off as an unhappy child and grows as a ballerina finally achieving her dream at the end of the book. The illustrations create a feeling of really knowing Noel.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lesson: You can't always be the star of the show

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Christmas book from my childhood.