My First Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker: Press the buttons to hear 6 sounds

by Jessica Courtney-Tickle (Illustrator)

From the internationally bestselling series, this board book with 6 sounds is the perfect introduction for babies and toddlers to classical music. Follow Clara on a magical adventure to the Land of Sweets in this retelling of the classic ballet story. Children will love pressing the button on every page to hear the exceptional quality music as the story unfolds.The My First Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for little children through illustrated retellings of classic ballets, operas, and musical stories paired with 6 10-second sound clips of real orchestras playing the music.

Also available from the My First Story Orchestra Swan Lake.

Manufacturer's note: please pull the white tab out the back of the book before use and flick the small button to turn it on. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.

Genres: Music

14 pages, Board Book

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Jessica Courtney-Tickle is an illustrator, writer, and creative based in Cambridge, England. She studied Illustration and Animation at Kingston University London graduating in July 2014. Since then she has worked on a diverse range of picture books with authors such as John Agard, Ursula Jones and Lisa Mantchev. Jessica also continues to illustrate the best selling The Story Orchestra series, written by Katy Flint.

Upcoming books include The Little Blue Cottage written by Kelly Jordan. My Nana's Garden written by Dawn Casey and The Story Orchestra, Carnival of the Animals written by Katy Flint.

Reviews

[Olivia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different publication, the one we read is illustrated by Madalena Bastos. A great introduction to the Nutcracker

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific entry in The Story Orchestra series, introducing young readers through spectacular illustrations and musical excerpts to The Nutcracker. I'm buying the whole series for my personal library!

[Joey-Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Quarto Kids / Francis Lincoln and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

I always love the story of the nutcracker and it’s my favourite ballet, I loved the concept with this story that it plays 10 seconds of music for each page as you read and look at it with your child you hear the gorgeous music.

The illustrations were so adorable to look at I loved seeing the sugar plum land with everyone dancing so beautifully. These are going to be loved by families as they will have a great time looking at these beautiful illustrations.

I do wish that more of the story was told, I understand it’s for little ones so it’s kept short, but I felt like so much of the story had been cut off, parts that are really integral to understanding what’s going on, which is a shame they get cut with how beautiful it is.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book! I wish my daughter was young enough to enjoy this, she's probably a little too old now. But for young children (0-2), this is an excellent addition to a book collection - especially for a holiday book. Any book that played music/sounds was a big hit in our house and honestly, the fact that these are orchestra clips of music from the Nutcracker is awesome and brings the added benefit of introducing orchestral music at a very young age.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. They're so vibrant and colorful - with plenty of characters and colors for young children to absorb. Also, the text on each page was simple and sweet - and seemed very age appropriate to correspond with the music clips that would play with each scene. Overall a great book for young kids - thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC for me to read and review.

[kellzreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s my first “My First Story Orchestra” children’s book and of course it was “The Nutcracker”!! The nutcracker has been my favorite ballet since being introduced to it years ago and have loved the story line since childhood. So seeing that it’s being simplified via beautiful illustrations to introduce young children to learn and understand it is unremarkable. Its storyline is shortened which I think is the only negative that I can say, but at the same time it’s for young children to understand and enjoy most so maybe not a con.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Courtney-Tickle and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing this AMAZING ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own, and I do not accept money for any reviews.

[Shan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that there was a good idea here, but it wasn't executed well. This book was just too simple for "older" young kids and a little too advanced for "younger" young kids. I think that keeping the sentences simple but adding some more scenic and descriptive depth would help this book a lot. The illustrations were absolutely stunning, and I think that having some words to go with these beautiful images would be highly beneficial.
Lastly, I want to give credit to the author for the idea of this book. It was such a smart idea to breathe new life into classic orchestra stories so that kids of the newer generation(s) can enjoy these great stories.

[Stina Pettersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who adores the nutcracker ballet, this book is the perfect retelling of the story. It’s written in a way that a child can understand the different parts of the story in general terms. It can be paired with the actual performance to further explain what’s happening.

The illustrations are also so cute, in a style that gives the story its justice. The colours and whimsical style makes the illustrations feel so real, like they’re gonna come out of the page. My little cousins loved it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This being a digital file means I can't press anything to hear what it sounds like, but I can certainly acknowledge the decent art inside, which is well matched with the short amount of text in showing this cockamamie half-story in such a few pages. It leaves a lot to be desired in explaining the music and its context (ie that's completely absent) but this is for those young hands just getting used to controlling books, and if that means your ears get to bleed from it quite quickly, I cannot be held responsible. And with such a daft attempt at a narrative, you'd probably only have yourself to blame. Three and a half stars.

[Andreea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Well obviously the music is the main thing about this book and the entire series and it's a great way to introduce the little ones to classical music. However... I still feel like it lacked story wise - the story is oversimplified and it's a shame. Either commit to the illustrations (which were great) and the music and let them do the talking, either try better with the written words too.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My First Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker by Jessica Courtney-Tickle was a beautifully illustrated little book all about the famous story of The Nutcracker a ballet, and one of my favourite ballets. There is buttons to press and the book plays nutcracker music which is beautiful.

A great book for very young children especially as it is made out of sturdy cardboard.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for #MyFirstStoryOrchestraTheNutcracker from #NetGalley

A simple story book of the Nutcracker for the little ones, with bright colors and pretty illustrations, supposedly accompanied with 6 10-seconds music to introduce them to the story of Nutcracker. This will help engage toddlers to understand the story and amuse themselves with the pictures and sounds.

[Marc Sebastian Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love a bit of opera and ballet in our house, so it's nice to be able to share it with baby so early on!
Lovely simple thing, short summary of The Nutcracker with a little recognisable piece from each scene played when you push the button. Good quality sound too for what it is. Very nice!

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! The Nutcracker story simplified into only 6 two page spreads! 6 accompanying sound snippets give a sample of this stunning music.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book with a different, very short, classical music piece on every page. Great for toddlers.