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The Nutcracker: A Papercut Pop-Up Book
The magic of Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker comes to life in this theatrical pop-up book created by papercut artist Shobhna Patel, whose delicate laser-cut pop-ups will enchant readers young and old. Patel has invented a new paper-engineering technique called the “paperscope,” which is used for the first time in this charming book.
The classic story begins on Christmas Eve when a little girl named Clara and her brother Fritz are gathered around the Christmas tree to celebrate with family and friends. Their mysterious uncle, Drosselmeyer the toy maker, gives Clara a beautiful wooden nutcracker who magically comes to life when the clock strikes midnight. So begins an enchanting adventure featuring all of Tchaikovsky’s original characters: the soldier mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and of course a handsome prince.
The Nutcracker is made all the more extraordinary by Patel’s intricate laser-cut illustrations. The book features four pop-up paperscopes that spring to life when the reader presses each paperscope down with their hand to reveal the scene hidden within. The effect is one of a magical series of stage sets, recalling the story’s origins as a ballet.
The classic story begins on Christmas Eve when a little girl named Clara and her brother Fritz are gathered around the Christmas tree to celebrate with family and friends. Their mysterious uncle, Drosselmeyer the toy maker, gives Clara a beautiful wooden nutcracker who magically comes to life when the clock strikes midnight. So begins an enchanting adventure featuring all of Tchaikovsky’s original characters: the soldier mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and of course a handsome prince.
The Nutcracker is made all the more extraordinary by Patel’s intricate laser-cut illustrations. The book features four pop-up paperscopes that spring to life when the reader presses each paperscope down with their hand to reveal the scene hidden within. The effect is one of a magical series of stage sets, recalling the story’s origins as a ballet.
- GenresChristmasPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 14, 2017
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2018
Paper artist Shobhna Patel creates a work of delicate enchantment with this beautiful retelling of the story of The Nutcracker. Her text follows the traditional narrative - the Christmas party at the Stahlbaum family home, the arrival of Godfather Drosselmeyer with his wonderful gift of a nutcracker, and Clara Stahlbaum's subsequent magical adventure/dream - but the real appeal here are her four incredibly intricate papercut illustrations, inserted throughout the book.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but although I enjoyed The Nutcracker: A Papercut Pop-Up Book on my first reading, and although I found Patel's artwork quite lovely, I never noticed the pop-ups inside the two-sided papercut panels (and this despite the title!) until I read an online review that mentioned them. Once I discovered them, however, my appreciation of Patel's craft greatly increased! The little scenes revealed are all the more magical for being so tiny, and for being contained within two other cut-out scenes. This is just a lovely retelling of a holiday classic. It is VERY delicate, however, so I would not recommend it for very young children. Perhaps seven and up?
I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but although I enjoyed The Nutcracker: A Papercut Pop-Up Book on my first reading, and although I found Patel's artwork quite lovely, I never noticed the pop-ups inside the two-sided papercut panels (and this despite the title!) until I read an online review that mentioned them. Once I discovered them, however, my appreciation of Patel's craft greatly increased! The little scenes revealed are all the more magical for being so tiny, and for being contained within two other cut-out scenes. This is just a lovely retelling of a holiday classic. It is VERY delicate, however, so I would not recommend it for very young children. Perhaps seven and up?
January 1, 2018
This book was gifted to me by my cousin for Christmas and is so beautiful! I love The Nutcracker story and this was a very charming version based on the ballet. Each page has lovely illustrations which frame the text, and intermittently there are incredibly detailed papercut pop outs!
The craftsmanship alone of this book is amazing. Definitely worth a read to marvel at the detail and see the story brought to life.
The craftsmanship alone of this book is amazing. Definitely worth a read to marvel at the detail and see the story brought to life.
November 20, 2017
The story is fine -- a standard Nut re-telling.
The papercuts are what make this book different.
At first look, they appear like 2 layer papercuts that show something slightly different from each side. It's when you realize you need to press down on the end and look between those 2 sides that you see something even more special.
The papercuts are what make this book different.
At first look, they appear like 2 layer papercuts that show something slightly different from each side. It's when you realize you need to press down on the end and look between those 2 sides that you see something even more special.
December 22, 2017
Pretty standard Nutcracker retelling. Doesn't go through all the second act divertissements, and the motivations for some things in the party scene are a little unclear, but neither of those is all that rare.
To see all the papercut art, you need to look at the papercut on each side and then press down to see the popout. It's a little unintuitive but really pretty.
To see all the papercut art, you need to look at the papercut on each side and then press down to see the popout. It's a little unintuitive but really pretty.
December 7, 2017
Stunning paper cuts!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews