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The Nutcracker
This is a 32-page hardcover Borzoi book "adapted" and illustrated by Warren Chappell. It is quite an elaborate children's picture book that has beautiful and detailed color illustrations. There is also sheet music for five of Tchaikovsky's compositions in The Nutcracker. While it is a little "rough around the edges," the book remains a beautiful treasure to share with littles, just as the Christmas ballet is.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 8, 2018
This book is always a great one to read during the hoildays. One of my favorite things about this book is that it even has the music notes to "The Nutcracker"!
June 26, 2022
A completely unique and different version than any other I have heard. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 27, 2013
“Beloved Christmas Eve Fantasy”
Tschaikowsky’s immortal ballet, beloved mecca of December theatre goers, is a composite of the stories of several authors including Alexandre Dumas, pere, and E.T.A. Hoffmann. This review is based on the 1943 edition, charmingly illustrated by Warren Chappelle.
Following a Christmas Eve custom in Nuremberg, Germany (home of the annual Christkindlmart, where ranks upon ranks of stalls offer toys, games and sweets to bedazzle children of all ages) the parents of Marie and Fritz host a fancy ball, which children are temporarily allowed to attend. But even the adults are a bit leery of Marie’s godfather, Dr. Drosselmaier, the famous toymaker--who is also reputed a magician.
Drosselmaier wheels out various mechanical figures which amaze the guests with their lifelike antics, but the high point for Marie is his special gift to her: a tall, wooden nutcracker. She immediately adores the ugly fellow, which irritates Fritz, who deliberately breaks the toy’s jaw with an oversized nut. Inconsolable Marie binds his wound and takes him to bed with her—her Christmas Eve having been spoiled.
When midnight strikes the image of Drosselmaier casts a spell over the empty ballroom, causing fantastic things to happen: the Christmas tree begins to rise mysteriously and grow ever taller, reaching to the high ceiling, and rendering normal-sized objects much smaller. Conversely miniature things like mice and toy soldiers increase in size. When Marie and her prize arrive in the room she witnesses a fierce battle between the evil Mouse King and the soldiers, who desperately need a leader. The nutcracker comes to life and leads his men against the varmints. In a close duel it is Marie’s slipper, which she hurls in despair at the Mouse King, which routs the mice! In gratitude to his princess, the Nutcracker (actually a Prince in disguise) invites her to accompany him on a sleight ride to his own special kingdom--the Land of Sweets, presided over by the delicate Sugar Plum Fairy.
This timeless children’s classic is both a wonderful ballet and a delightful story, although most of the actual plot takes place in Act I. Several versions of this story exist and many talented artists have been attracted by this fairy tale atmosphere. A staple of Western Christmas celebration.
(July 27, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
Tschaikowsky’s immortal ballet, beloved mecca of December theatre goers, is a composite of the stories of several authors including Alexandre Dumas, pere, and E.T.A. Hoffmann. This review is based on the 1943 edition, charmingly illustrated by Warren Chappelle.
Following a Christmas Eve custom in Nuremberg, Germany (home of the annual Christkindlmart, where ranks upon ranks of stalls offer toys, games and sweets to bedazzle children of all ages) the parents of Marie and Fritz host a fancy ball, which children are temporarily allowed to attend. But even the adults are a bit leery of Marie’s godfather, Dr. Drosselmaier, the famous toymaker--who is also reputed a magician.
Drosselmaier wheels out various mechanical figures which amaze the guests with their lifelike antics, but the high point for Marie is his special gift to her: a tall, wooden nutcracker. She immediately adores the ugly fellow, which irritates Fritz, who deliberately breaks the toy’s jaw with an oversized nut. Inconsolable Marie binds his wound and takes him to bed with her—her Christmas Eve having been spoiled.
When midnight strikes the image of Drosselmaier casts a spell over the empty ballroom, causing fantastic things to happen: the Christmas tree begins to rise mysteriously and grow ever taller, reaching to the high ceiling, and rendering normal-sized objects much smaller. Conversely miniature things like mice and toy soldiers increase in size. When Marie and her prize arrive in the room she witnesses a fierce battle between the evil Mouse King and the soldiers, who desperately need a leader. The nutcracker comes to life and leads his men against the varmints. In a close duel it is Marie’s slipper, which she hurls in despair at the Mouse King, which routs the mice! In gratitude to his princess, the Nutcracker (actually a Prince in disguise) invites her to accompany him on a sleight ride to his own special kingdom--the Land of Sweets, presided over by the delicate Sugar Plum Fairy.
This timeless children’s classic is both a wonderful ballet and a delightful story, although most of the actual plot takes place in Act I. Several versions of this story exist and many talented artists have been attracted by this fairy tale atmosphere. A staple of Western Christmas celebration.
(July 27, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
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December 11, 2023I have searched many modern Nutcrackers to find this one that I remember from my childhood; it's certainly the creepiest and most random of the bunch, and natch, the closest to Hoffmann's original. Who knew the whole story got set off by the misfire of a particular royal recipe for sausage? Or that Drosselmeyer wears a wig of spun glass because he lost his hair from sunstroke during a 14 year journey to find Krakatuk, the world's hardest nut? Or that the entrance to the Kingdom of Toys and Candy (containing the marvelous City of Jam) is through the sleeve of a coat in a closet? It is intermittently frightening and intensely boring and extraordinarily long. Just the way I like my read-alouds.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews