Bea in the Nutcracker

by Rachel Isadora

Starring an adorable toddler ballet class, this endearing companion to former dancer Rachel Isadora’s Bea at Ballet pares down the classic ballet to its most basic, child-friendly elements, making it perfect for preschool audiences.
    
Bea and her friends are excited to put on their costumes and dance onstage in The Nutcracker! Bea is going to be Clara, and Sam is going to be the Prince. They will dance in the ballet’s magical Land of Sweets. Yum!

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

Rachel Isadora is an award-winning children's author and illustrator. She has written children's books on multiple topics including ballet, life in America and Africa, and has illustrated several Brother Grimm tales in an African setting. She is most well-known for her Caldecott Honor Award book "Ben's Trumpet". She was a ballet dancer before she became an illustrator and children's writer.

Reviews

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

I like that this makes the story of the Nutcracker accessible to a very young age group. The entirety of the Nutcracker story is pretty involved, so this book does a great job at including the highlights from the perspective of a girl participating in the show. Some opportunities for kids to join in with the actions, too.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this simplified version of THE NUTCRACKER for the younger set. If I was taking a young child to the play, I would use this book to introduce them to what was going to happen beforehand. Very good!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simplistic version of the nutcracker that can be read aloud to a whole class around the Holidays or to someone about to see the show!

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This both tells a version of the Nutcracker story and tells the story of Bea and her class dancing in the Nutcracker.

Bea's class appears to be the entire Nutcracker cast. There is, very appropriately, a cast party after the show. :)

The part of the book that is telling the Nutcracker story is very abridged in both acts. We see Clara, party children, the Nutcracker Prince, soldiers, mice, snow, the Sugar Plum Fairy, a candy cane, and flowers. Not in quite that order, oddly enough. Because of the candy cane, this maybe aligns best with Balanchine's choreography, but it's still a very loose fit.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about a little girl who stars in the nutcracker ballet at her school. Quick summary of the storyline. Lays out the costumes too.

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that the illustrations have characters or color, and I like that the book is about kids getting ready for, and acting in a play, but it isn't the most exciting read aloud.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The before, during, and after of a class performance of The Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker story told is quite abridged, but there. It definitely shows the joy of the dance.

[Lara Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about dancing.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a shortened version of the beautiful ballet The Nutcracker. Bea and her ballet friends enact The Nutcracker in dance and have a wonderful time doing it. Nicely illustrated.

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is basically a summary of the Nutcracker. It shows a young girl playing the role of Clara during a performance.

This story is bland and the artwork was so not my style. The story is short and there is no connection to any character. I love the Nutcracker and I was so bored reading this. Not even the costumes could save this.

For Nutcracker lovers only, even then it depends on the person if you will enjoy it.

What a bummer.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beguiling, toddler-friendly book about what happens in the Nutcracker ballet.

Illustrations are adorable. The tone is perfect too, imo. Rachel Isadora's love of toddlers and also her love of ballet -- they're contagious.

[Rommel Sison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-year-old daughter: 5 stars
6-year-old daughter: 5 stars

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bea and her ballet class are putting on a production of The Nutcracker. The story of the ballet is woven into the sequences in which Bea and her friends dance helping young readers understand the classic holiday story while also enjoying the experience of live performance.

Pencil, ink, and oil paint illustrations are merry, and precious in their depiction of small children. This is a great book for gift giving and sharing, especially with any little ones who will be lucky enough to see a live performance of The Nutcracker.

PreK-2.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly bare-bones telling of the Nutcracker ballet. It's presented as understandable for toddlers, and I suppose they'd get it - but it wouldn't make them ready to actually watch the ballet.

(Also, the dancer in me rebels at the illustrations of toddlers dancing in what look like pointe shoes!)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of Isadora's that I've read that wasn't set in Africa. I LOVE those fairy tales! I loved this book, too. It is a simple retelling of the Nutcracker with delightful illustrations featuring a diverse population of dancers. A winner, even in June.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Works well for fans of previous be a installments or young ballerinas. Might make a good companion or follow-up read aloud to a viewing of The Nutcracker.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best for children familiar with the Nutcracker story.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit blah, but I'm sure it will have its interest.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfect intro to the famous ballet for the preschool set.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful child friendly version of the nutcracker! Also good for less than enthusiastic ballet goers of any age.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isadora effectively makes the story of the Nutcracker accessible to young audiences.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

great for the young ballet-lover

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet first Nutcracker story. Simple and easy to read.