Charlotte and the Nutcracker: The True Story of a Girl Who Made Ballet History

by Charlotte Nebres, Alea Marley (Illustrator)

Overview

A reimagined and modern take on the holiday favorite, this picture book weaves together the classic Christmas tale of The Nutcracker and the true-life story of 12-year-old ballerina Charlotte Nebres, the first Black girl to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production.

The only thing Charlotte loves as much as ballet is Christmas. So, when she gets the opportunity to play Marie in the New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker, she leaps at the chance.

Dancing takes practice-hours of adjusting her arms and perfecting her jumps. With the help of her Trinidadian and Filipino families, encouragement from her sister, and a view of her mom and dad in the audience, Charlotte finds the strength to never give up.

In this spectacular debut full of fluid, dynamic illustrations, Charlotte provides youngsters with a multicultural tale of family, dance, and holiday cheer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593374924
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	12/21/2021
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	AD580L (what's this?)
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Charlotte Nebres is a twelve-year-old pre-professional ballet dancer. Charlotte was the first Black dancer to be cast as Marie--the young heroine of "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker"--in New York City Ballet's show. Her history-making performance during the 2019 holiday season was covered by The New York Times, CBS News, Essence, GMA, and more. Charlotte is currently a student at the School of American Ballet. Charlotte lives in New Jersey with her parents, brother, and sister. Find her on Instagram at @charlottenebres.

Alea Marley is a children's illustrator living and working in England. Her books include Everybody's Somewhere by Cornelia Spelman, Loretta's Gift by Pat Zietlow Miller, The Many Colours Of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, and A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba. Find Alea online at aleamarley.co.uk, and on Instagram at @aleamarley.com.

Editorial Reviews

09/13/2021

In this rhythmic narrative, Charlotte Nebres, the first Black dancer cast as Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, recounts her history learning ballet, her time auditioning for and then performing in The Nutcracker in 2019, and her family’s Christmas traditions. Writing from the third-person perspective, Nebres employs accessible prose that emphasizes the physical repetition necessary in ballet: “Charlotte travels straight into/ the wide-open joy of Christmas./ Toe, ball, heel./ Toe, ball, heel./ Toe, ball, heel.” Marley contributes warm, fine-lined digital spreads, filled with light and rendered in a seasonal palette of muted jewel tones. Though Nebres’s family traditions are portrayed without context, only quietly hinting at her Trinidadian and Filipinx roots, themes of persistence and representation as inspiration should open relevant conversations with young readers. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 11/01/2021

K-Gr 3—A true story about the first Black dancer to be cast as Marie in the New York City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. The author, was 11 when she made history in 2019 for her role. In this compelling narrative, Charlotte Nebres starts taking ballet classes when she is two. Years later, she sees a ballerina's performance that changes her life. "Charlotte perches on her velvety chair. There's the ballerina everyone is talking about! Her brown skin glows bright in the stage lamps. The ballerina looks like family." Nebres, who is of Trinidadian and Filipino descent, imagines herself up on stage. With hard work and the support of her family, she reaches her dream. The girl is excited when she lands the role, but surprised, too. "They say it's the first time the New York City Ballet will have a Black girl playing Marie. Huh, she thinks, that seems a little late." This story has broad appeal and celebrates the author's diverse heritage. For example, one page shows and describes the dancer and her grandma making a Christmas Eve treat with banana leaves, dough, and spicy meat. Illustrations do well in capturing the mood of this title. At the end, Nebres addresses readers: "Do you incorporate your heritage in your traditions? However you celebrate, I am wishing you a very happy holiday!" VERDICT This true inspirational story is a must-have for library collections. Highly recommended for all.—Robin Sofge, Prince William P.L. Syst., VA

School Library Journal

★ 2021-08-18
In this true story by a young ballerina of color, Charlotte’s magical Christmas season is prolonged when she performs in The Nutcracker.

Charlotte Nebres loves ballet, both dancing in class and going to the theater to watch the ballet. One night, she sees a brown-skinned ballerina on stage, and this helps her imagine herself on stage too. In class, she practices and practices, hoping to be picked to perform with the New York City Ballet someday. She gets better and better, until finally she is called to audition. She is cast as Marie, “the hero of the story!” She is surprised to learn that she will be the first Black girl to play this role with the New York City Ballet, but she hopes other children who see her perform will feel as she did: “Welcomed. Beautiful. Ready to dance!” Readers watch as Charlotte prepares, debuts, and performs her role, then celebrates Christmas with family traditions from her family’s dual Trinidadian and Filipinx heritage. Charlotte feels the magic of the season on stage and at home. The illustrations use a variety of perspectives to portray Charlotte’s journey as observer, performer, sister, and daughter. The emphasis on her persistent practice makes her success especially gratifying. This satisfying story of inspiration, dedication, perseverance, and progress will have readers yearning to see the ballet and get into the holiday spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Lovely. (author's note) (Picture book/memoir. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews