The Nutcracker

by Susan Jeffers Narrated by Courtney Shaw

Overview

New York Times bestselling artist and Caldecott Honor winner Susan Jeffers has created a Nutcracker as only she can-with lavish illustrations, magnificent detail, a glitter-brushed cover, and enchanting holiday scenes on every page. This is The Nutcracker as you've never seen it before! Makes a lovely keepsake and gift.

Join Marie, Fritz, and the intriguing Nutcracker himself on a magical Christmas Eve adventure. Behold the frightful Mouse King, the elegant Sugar Plum fairies, and the entire Land of Sweets in this dazzling, gorgeously illustrated holiday classic. With spare text based on the story in the ballet, this book offers a front-row seat to the enthralling tale that is a perennial favorite of adults and children alike.

And for Susan Jeffers fans looking for extra content, an author's note is included at the end of the book, in which she explains what inspired her to turn this holiday tradition into a show-stopping picture book.

Editorial Reviews

Abby McGanney Nolan

Susan Jeffers's version of The Nutcracker is not a full translation of the original, but its precise and pretty watercolors, semi-traditional treatment and spare text make it a wonderful introduction for young children.
—The Washington Post

Kirkus Reviews

Jeffers puts her immediately recognizable style to fine use in her illustrations of the story from the beloved holiday ballet. The oversized cover of this beautifully designed edition is filled with a compelling, close-up portrait of Marie as she holds her Nutcracker close, with the title in metallic gold letters partially covered by Marie's flowing golden tresses. The illustrations closely follow the plot of the ballet, with the familiar progression of the party scene full of swirling skirts and the appearance of the Nutcracker, the battle scene with the defeat of the Mouse King and the journey to the magical Land of Sweets, filled with scenes of dancers in minty pastels and jeweled accents. An author's note offers information about the history of the ballet and the approach Jeffers followed in designing this lovely interpretation. The story is skillfully retold with just a few lines of text per page, making this an excellent introduction to the ballet for younger children. This will likely be the new standard choice for reading to little ones prior to attending a holiday performance. (Picture book. 3-8)

From the Publisher

Skillfully retold with just a few lines of text per page...an excellent introduction to the ballet for younger children.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Jeffers’ lush watercolors...will wholly satisfy families...this treatment will earn curtain calls galore.” — ALA Booklist

“Energetic and child-friendly...Jeffers’s soft watercolors...capture both the drama of the classic story and the elegance of choreography.” — Publishers Weekly

“{Jeffers’s] romantic, detail-rich illustrations are based on the Balanchine ballet...Jeffers offers a satisfying extension” — The Horn Book

The Horn Book

{Jeffers’s] romantic, detail-rich illustrations are based on the Balanchine ballet...Jeffers offers a satisfying extension

ALA Booklist

Jeffers’ lush watercolors...will wholly satisfy families...this treatment will earn curtain calls galore.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173810564
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/04/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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