THE NUTCRACKER: A young reader's edition of the holiday classic.

by Daniel Walden

Adults as well as children look forward to attending an annual performance of The Nutcracker. To sweeten the anticipation and prolong the joy -- or just to establish a lovely tradition--settle in with this charming retelling of a young girl's dreamy visit to the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy. The story is enhanced with magnificent color illustrations created especially for this edition by the late award-winning artist Don Daily. This high-quality, handsomely produced volume is destined for the permanent home library.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Classics, Holiday, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all-time favorite, Christmas classic. This particular version was among my Mother-in-law's collection, so it is also lavishly illustrated. She always said, "I like to look at the pictures!" and these are definitely worth lingering over. We used to watch the ballet every year when our children were growing up. I thrill to the music. Still working on the review...

[J.M. Stengl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: I have owned this tiny volume for several years but never read it until the other day! Now I think I will enjoy watching the ballet more than ever. :-)
It is sweet and adorable, and the illustrations in this version are gorgeous and add so much to the story!
Lovely reading for the Christmas season!

[Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice classic, and the wonderful illustrations really bring it to life!

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this story! As a young girl, back when I still studied ballet, I used to steal one of my brothers many nutcrackers (he has over 100 now, last I checked) and dance around the room as my mother read aloud to us. Even now as an adult, I find this story wonderful and magical. This particular edition has such gorgeous illustrations. It's one flaw is that the young girl is called Maria instead of the much preferred Clara. I can't wait for another year to pass to read it again.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this timeless Christmas classic! The story of the Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition and I've read it many times to my children. I used to love to take my daughters to see the Nutcracker ballet. I especially love this edition of the book. It is beautifully bound and printed with absolutely exquisite illustrations. I love the illustrations!! And...this volume has a lovely little gold Nutcracker attached to the bookmark. Merry Christmas!

[Tatyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of the classic tale is retold in 5 fairly short chapters with absolutely beautiful full page illustrations. Definitely a keeper in our Christmas book collection.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen the ballet several time but it was nice to read the story. This story is well written with pretty illustrations. It's a nice big picture book too. I bought this for my oldest son in 2003 as a Christmas present since he loved to see the Nutcracker ballet.

[Aleena · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you love something very much it is always alive."
Beautifully illustrated, magical version of the classic tale :)

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautiful full-page size artwork! This version of The Nutcracker, adapted by Daniel Walden, was told with enough detail to capture the essence of the story; and watching the ballet will be easy for someone who has read this easy-reader version of The Nutcracker. It will be simple enough for even young children to catch the concept of the story line. My favorite thing about this book, though, is the artwork. I love the detail of the illustrations, the way the artist captured the emotions of the people, and the magic he instills on each page. This is my favorite rendition of The Nutcracker I've read yet.

[Alycia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long story short, this book is about a young girl who on Christmas Eve received a nutcracker doll. However, this nutcracker was unlike any other. The nutcracker she received came to live and was extraordinary. This is a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed all the colorful pictures across all pages. It was a great read and I hope this is yet another story I can pass on to my future biological children, as well as those children who I am lucky enough to teach.

[Rebekah Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nutcracker is a charming retelling of a young girl's dreamy visit to the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy. This high-quality, handsomely produced volume is destined to be a holiday favorite for years to come.

I bought this book to help get everyone in my house in the Christmas spirit, putting it on display with the rest of the books that I have like this and it works! I would find adults and children reading this book and falling in love with Christmas magic all over again!

[Jasmine Stocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this book scared me as a kid so I would necessarily recommend it for young children. But as I grew older I liked it more and more. I enjoy the story of a young girl in her make-believe journey. It also involves Christmas which is one of my favorite holidays. I love any type of book that pushes childhood imagination because I believe it is an essential part of childhood.

[Evergreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never seen the ballet, and I was confused by finding Alexandra Dumas's adaption for the story of E. T. A. Hoffmann's novel at Barnes and Noble. I chose to read this book while at Walmart and bought Dumas's version out curiosity. Well written and beautiful pictures within the book. Now debating on buying it to read to my younger nieces or not. Hahaha!

[Jamille Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've had this in the family for years and one of my favorite Christmas stories is The Nutcracker. The only thing I didn't like about it is they called the main girl Maria when I think it should be Clara.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally read another Christmas classic. I do have to say that the Barbie version is a bit more excited. With revealing the prince at the end and the discovery of the sugar plum fairy instead of a banquet.

[Cathie Maud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the abridged versions of the Nutcracker tale for children that I've read so far, this one is the best.

The words used to tell the tale are as magical as the illustrations --usually you find more attention was paid to the pictures than the text, but that is not the case with this edition.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this classic story about a nutcracker that comes to life and a young girl who saves the nutcracker when he comes to life by throwing her slipper a the mouse king the one that started, "Was it a dream or was it real?" question?

[A Kuijt · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMK enjoyed this book and she asked to be read this before bed almost every night while we had it from the library.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely, though the adults did look awfully alike!

[Rachel rachandalotabooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art stile is beautiful and highly detailed. I've always been fascinated by the Nutcracker story since the amazing animated adaption with Barbie, a cinematic masterpiece

[Jamie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful edition of this Christmas classic!

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas classic

[Rose Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magical illustrations. I'm glad to finally know the plot of this story, and understand why it is so unmemorable.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a classic - and this one with such beautiful illustrations!

[Tayler Carlisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

More based on the ballet than the actual book, but still charming

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations... lovely story

[Katrina Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great version of The Nutcracker with beautiful artwork. A holiday favourite!

[Jennifer Schadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect holiday read aloud! The pictures are magnificent