Tallulah's Nutcracker

Tallulah #4

by Marilyn Singer, Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)

It’s Christmastime, and Tallulah finally gets what she’s been wishing for—a part in a real ballet, a professional production of The Nutcracker. She’s only a mouse, but she works as hard as if she had been cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

On the night of the show, everything is perfect. But then disaster strikes! Does Tallulah have what it takes to become a real ballerina?

A well-told story, gorgeous illustrations, and a beloved character conspire to make a positively magical Christmas book.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Kids, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Reviews

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any child interested in ballet or dance would love this story and illustrations. The story is so cute and relatable, especially if you've dance ballet for many years professionally even if you haven't made company. I remember the first time that I danced ballet in a theater during a Christmas special and then went on to dance at the Jackie Gleason in Miami for the Nutcracker. The emotions that you feel during that time of one's life is unforgettable. Tallulah was given a part that perhaps she did not want but she grew to love and she'll absolutely love when she's much older and looks back at the children dancing the part. I remember being one of the sugar plum fairies and a solider much to my annoyance because I wanted to be an Arab dancer but now I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would-be ballerina Tallulah, whose story began in Tallulah's Tutu , and then continued in Tallulah's Solo and Tallulah's Toe Shoes , returns in this fourth picture-book devoted to her dancing adventures. Thrilled to be given the part of a mouse in a professional production of The Nutcracker, Tallulah devotes herself to being the best mouse she can, missing seasonal parties and the family Christmas tree expedition in order to practice. Being Tallulah, and a little given to grandiose dreams, she becomes a little puffed up with the importance of being in a professional ballet. Then on opening night, she trips onstage, causing a multiple-mouse pile-up. Terribly distraught, Tallulah is convinced she is the worst dancer ever, until her dance master and two of the stars of the ballet persuade her that it isn't the absence of mistakes that makes a dancer, but the ability to carry on.

As with its predecessors, Tallulah's Nutcracker is an immensely engaging tale, one which captures its young heroine's emotional ups and downs, her tendency to be a little self-centered, to become a little vain at the first sign of success, but also her ability to grow and change, her willingness to learn, when her shortcomings (inevitably) come to the fore. I found the conclusion, in which the dance master and the ballerinas who played Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy comfort Tallulah, and help to show her that making mistakes is an inevitable part of being a dancer (and a person), to be quite moving. The artwork by Alexandra Boiger, done in watercolor, is charming, with an appealing color palette and delightful little details, from the glitter on the cover to the ballet poses Tallulah demonstrates on the end-papers. Recommended to young ballet lovers, and to anyone who enjoyed the previous Tallulah books.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so stinking adorable! I bought this when my daughter and I went the the Nutcracker ballet for the first time so this book will forever hold a special place in my heart!

[Charlotte S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tallulah's Christmas wish came true this year! She wanted to be in the Nutcracker ballet, and she is going to be a mouse in a professional production of it! She is super excited and practices and practices and practices. She's going to be a star! But when she trips onstage, will she have the courage to keep going?

These illustrations are wonderful, and the story is amazing. My favorite part is the ending, but you'll have to read it to find out what it is! I believe there is a series of Tallulah books but don't quote me on that. This one is amazing!

Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!

[Laurie Fieldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations! Love, love the ballet-behind-the-scenes angle with the relatable anticipation of finding out if you got the part. I was getting butterflies in my stomach with Tallulah!

It flashed me back to all the school programs, community theater then Walt Disney World entertainment department: the excitement of those experiences from auditions to the performances.

Didactic in an adorable way: picking yourself up and keeping proper perspective with friends and family. Inspirational for everyone, especially future ballerinas!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tallulah was excited to get a part in a Nutcracker ballet performance. She was so sure she'd be the best mouse in the show and that one day she'd be a star - but, during her performance something embarrassing happens and things get messed up. Great story to show that, although sometimes things don't go as planned, it's not the end of the world.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this is *incredibly* relatable. (I could tell so. many. stories.) And the book is right that Tallulah did exactly what she should have done: she kept dancing. Things happen, it's okay to be upset later, and we've all been there.

Messages here about not being too proud, being the best you can be in your role (even if you're disappointed with it), and how to respond to mistakes.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lili was excited to read this, as she has performed as "mouse" two years running now in her dance studio's production of The Nutcracker: Clara's Dream. Fortunately, she hasn't experienced a mishap during the performances...however, they have happened in other places. And, in dance, you do have to get back up and keep going!

[Christabelle]

Read 2021

This was cute! My girls absolutely LOVE the Nutcracker! They enjoyed following the story of a girl who gets to play in the REAL ballet! Also a nice lesson in pushing past mistakes and accepting them as a part of life.

[L.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure I’m inclined to chase down the series, but this had nice illustrations and a valuable lesson to learn. Gifted to my kindergartener who will be in her first Nutcracker performance January 2024.

[Lillianna Bliss]

stars

First book of 2026, haha! I realized a bit late that I needed one more to even out my 2025 goal XD And this was pretty cute! I liked the watercolor illustrations. Rather disjointed story though, I've found that to be true of a lot of newer picture books unfortunately :/

1/1/26

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl who loves ballet gets a part in the nutcracker. How will it impact her life and can she pull it off? preschool and up for length

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY charming for kids interested in the ballet world. Reminds me of Angelia Ballerina for the new generation

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story.

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are just adorable. Tallulah is cast as a mouse in the Nutcracker ballet.

[Bryan Chicato · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books is very addictive.

[Epifania Rita Gallina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story

[Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tallulah's Nutcracker" is a delightful story about a young dancer named Tallulah. She auditions for a role in the classic Nutcracker ballet. Tallulah becomes very excited when she learns that she has been chosen to play a mouse.

She practices every day and is convinced that she is going to be the greatest dancer of all. Letting her ego get the better of her, Tallulah brags to all of the girls in her dance class. She then fantasizes about her fabulous performance and imagines that she will soon be asked to play the lead role of Clara or the mesmerizing Sugar Plum Fairy.

The day of the performance arrives and Tallulah becomes very nervous. Not only are her friends and family in the audience, but, the performance is being broadcast on television! Will Tallulah be able to overcome her fears and be the greatest mouse ever?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I danced for 10 years and was always in our company's production of "The Nutcracker." I could totally relate to Tallulah and the fears and heartbreak that she experienced.

One time, I played the role of a Chinese dancer. Each girl had a gold ribbon that was attached to a wooden handle. While performing our ribbon dance, my ribbon somehow became detached and fell onto the stage. Not breaking character, I continued dancing with just the wooden stick and pretended that the ribbon was still attached.

I was mortified, but, my dance instructor was happy that I had continued dancing. "Tallulah's Nutcracker" has such wonderful lessons to teach and the illustrations are beautiful. I was so touched that my mother gave me this book for Christmas/my birthday to commemorate all of our "Nutcracker Years" together.

[Joannah Keats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Tallulah has been given a part in a professional production of The Nutcracker. Sure, she’s just a mouse and not the sugarplum fairy but this is a real Nutcracker for a real ballet company in a real theater. Tallulah is so excited she can’t contain herself. She tells everyone her big news - she is convinced she will be the star of the show, the best mouse ever. On opening night as she stretches backstage, she tells herself “Tonight I am a mouse, but soon I’ll be Clara, then the Sugar Plum Fairy. The most elegant Sugar Plum Fairy ever!”

But things don’t go quite as Tallulah expects, and she learns that what makes a real dancer is to keep dancing even when embarrassing things happen, and that everyone makes mistakes - even prima ballerinas.

A cute picture book about following your dreams in the face of challenges, Tallulah’s Nutcracker is the perfect story for the aspiring ballerina. The illustrations are colorful but subdued, reminiscent of the softness that is characteristic of ballet. Tallulah’s excitement is palpable and contagious, so much so that it is easy to forgive her for the over-the-top boasting and showing-off she does when with her peers.

This book is best-suited for quiet, bedtime read-alouds more so than in a classroom or other large group setting, but is a definite must-have for dance teachers to keep on their shelves.

[Rebecca Sofferman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young dancer anticipates her first “real” performance in The Nutcracker, but things don’t go exactly as planned. Sweet pen-and-ink illustrations float around the text on each page. Realistic depictions of young dancers practicing and performing the famous ballet. Very cute facial expressions and sparkly cover; this will appeal to young girls and anyone who loves the Nutcracker.

I really enjoyed this book, not only because I love The Nutcracker but also because I love the message of forgiving oneself for mistakes. Everyone makes them! The main character displays fortitude, resilience, ambition, and pride in her accomplishments. This would be a great holiday read-aloud for a class that wishes to avoid books that are too Christmasy, as well as a nice read-aloud for character education.

I have lots of little dancers among my elementary school students and they are always asking for ballet books! I have to admit that I got a bit choked up reading this, it’s really a very sweet story. Highly recommended for elementary schools!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just in time for the Nutcracker season, this book is sure to please budding ballerinas who will surely identify with Tallulah. When she is chosen to play a mouse in a professional production of the famous ballet, she has little time for anything else and is exhausted from all the rehearsals. But thinking of the applause and acclaim she expects to receive keeps her motivated. But on the big night, disaster strikes, and she gets much more attention than she ever wanted. After the show, some kind members of the ballet company comfort her with their own mishaps. The watercolor and watercolor mixed with gouache and egg yolk illustrations allow Tallulah's passion for dance to shine through on every page. There's a good lesson here and a reminder that what matters is to keep performing even after something goes wrong.

[Spencer Wanlass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tallulah's Nutcracker is about Tallulah who wants to be in the Nutcracker. She tries out for the Sugar Plum Fairy, but doesn't get that part because she isn't big or old enough. Since she is actually good she did get another part that is an important part. She is very excited and when the night of the performance comes, she gets stage fright. She does her part but messes up big time and after her part runs off stage. After the performance, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker find her and tell her it's okay to mess up as long as you learn and move on. It's a really cute story for the family.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tallulah's Nutcracker is a welcome addition to the Tallulah series. The ever spunky Tallulah gets to be a rat in a real professional production of the Nutcracker. She practices hard, bursting with her typical enthusiasm, but when the big day comes disaster strikes and she trips. Alexandra Boiger's soft, graceful illustrations capture the ballet and Christmas season perfectly. Together with this sweet story about perseverance even when things don't go as planned, they create a delightful holiday book full of character and charm.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great "pride goes before a fall" book. Tallulah gets selected for the professional company's Nutcracker.

She's a little disappointed in her mouse role -- she doesn't even really do any dance steps! But, she's very proud to be in the show and makes sure everyone knows she is. However, the night of the performance she steps on another mouse's tail and starts a huge collapse on stage.

She's comforted afterwards by some of the professionals who come to tell her stories of mishaps they've had.

[Destiny Dawn Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tallulah is so proud when she gets a role in a big production of the Nutcracker. She works hard to be the best dancer in the show. But her role startsnto go to her head a little. When she has an accident on the stage, she learns that being a real dancer is about more than being the best.

I liked this story and the illustrations. It had a positive message that I think will resonate with kids.

[J.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, uplifting story with very cute illustrations. It was a pleasure to read out loud, though I had trouble knowing how to pronounce the myriad of French ballet terms mentioned in the story. Also, as my daughter pointed out, the cover, while pretty, is misleading, because Tallulah wears a different costume in the performance.

All in all, however, a nice read.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing in the Nutcracker vein...this one follows Tallulah (apparently the star of a series!) as she plays a mouse in a production of the Nutcracker. The kids enjoyed it, I got to reminisce about also playing a mouse in the Nutcracker, and I thought it did a decent job of showing what it might like to be backstage in a ballet production (minus the egos of the ballet bigwigs, though).

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had not been introduced to Tallulah before this book but definitely enjoyed her story. Kids seems to struggle with the need to be perfect, without realizing that us adults rarely (never) are. This is a story about realizing that hard work and a perseverance are more important than perfection. Thank you Tallulah.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing in a professional production of the Nutcracker is a dream come true for Tallulah, even though her mouse costume isn’t elegant. But she’s devastated when she trips on stage and causes all the mice and soldiers to fall down. The touching conclusion will bring a smile to young performers, as Tallulah is comforted by the older dancers.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great book for kids who are interested in ballet, or for any kid who is worried about making mistakes. The illustrations are aesthetically pleasing, and the details of the young dancer's experience are realistic.