Zombelina Dances The Nutcracker

Zombelina #2

by Kristyn Crow, Molly Idle (Illustrator)

The charming, dancing zombie brought to life by Caldecott-Honor winning illustrator Molly Idle is back in a Christmas-themed story . . . and this time Zombelina wins the lead in The Nutcracker !

In another rhyming read-aloud tale full of delightful macabre humor Zombelina once again steals the show! This time Zombelina and her friend Lizzie are dancing in The Nutcracker. On the night of the big show, Zombelina is ready, but Grandpa Phantom has other plans for the opera house. Zombelina will need to think fast to save the show, and she’ll need Lizzie’s help. When best friends work together, the show will go on!

Young dancers and readers will love this family-filled, friendship-inspired picture book that brings Zombelina home for the holidays in another scary-good story!

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2015

About the author

Kristyn Crow is the author of four children's picture books: COOL DADDY RAT (Putnam), BEDTIME AT THE SWAMP (HarperCollins, THE MIDDLE CHILD BLUES (Putnam, coming soon) and SKELETON CAT (Scholastic, coming soon). COOL DADDY RAT received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. She is the mother of seven children, some with special needs, and Kristyn has written hundreds of blog articles on topics like autism, juvenile diabetes, and parenting. Some of these articles have been reprinted by national foundations. Kristyn loves to hear from parents, teachers, kids, and readers. Visit her website by clicking HERE, or visit her writing blog by clicking HERE.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

That little zombie ballerina, whose story began in the eponymous Zombelina , returns in this second picture-book devoted to her dancing adventures, this time trying out for the role of Clara in The Nutcracker. Elated when she gets the part, but sympathetic to her friend Lizzie Snow, who also wanted to dance Clara, Zombelina practices hard, and enjoys the performance. Then Grandpa Phantom starts playing tricks, and our zombie heroine must make a difficult choice, to ensure that the show goes on...

Like its predecessor, Zombelina Dances the Nutcracker features a rhyming text that is fun to read aloud - "It's me, Zombelina, at tryouts today... / in the old opera house with my CORPSE de ballet. / I'm here for The Nutcracker. It's my audition. / And I know I'm going to be STIFF competition" - as well as cute-as-a-button artwork. For a zombie story, Kristyn Crow's tale is fairly gentle and heartwarming, emphasizing teamwork and sacrifice for the greater good. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed the first story about Zombelina, as well as to those looking for fun picture-books featuring the ballet The Nutcracker.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a really cute idea but the book itself is meh. I liked it but it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. Honestly, I think it would've been a good like chapter book for kids. I think thatd be better.

[Matt Henry]

This story is an intermediate read. This would be great for storytelling with the rhymes and humor. This story was about a zombie trying out for clara as the lead. After winning over the judges she feels bad for a fellow dancer who was wanting the same part. They become friends and on the night of the dance zombielina half way through sees her grandpa playing tricks on everyone. She overs her legs to her new friend to take over for clara. Zombielina dances the steps as she plays games with her grandpa. Everyone is happy because the production was wondeful and zombielinas friend got to dance as the lead.

[Jessica Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombelina is trying out for the lead in her dance school's The Nutcracker. Zombeline wins the lead role of Clara but she realizes that her new friend Lizzie is upset she lost out. In the meantime Zombelinas grandfather who haunts the theater is pulling pranks during the show. Zombelina comes up with a plan, to stop her grandfather & give Lizzie her chance to dance the lead, by lending Lizzie her legs. This is an adorable story of friends and family and compromise.

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

I love Zombelina! Even though the "here, wear my legs to perform my dance routine!" part was a bit creepy, and I didn't really get why her Grandpa haunts this specific theater (?), the illustrations and friendship story carried it through. Good old Zombelina being inclusive <3

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zombelina is all set to perform the Nutcracker ballet, but will she be able to distract Grampa Phantom somehow, and prevent his from pulling any pranks during the performance? Quick thinking must prevail in order for the show to go on.

[Cathy Hodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

52-book-club-challenge prompt #34 featuring mythology. Our little Zombie "Zombelina" returns to dance in the Nutcracker ballet. But Grandpa Phantom appears. Ghosts, bats, and Zombies make this rhyming Nutcracker story a Christmas winner. Enjoy.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those who are familiar with the story of the Nutrcracker will enjoy this story about Zomblelina and Lizzie the most. I liked the original better.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to really enjoy these books -- surprisingly gentle, despite the zombie theme, and strong on friendship and family.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me laugh!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story with beautiful illustrations.

[Akoss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the Zombelina series but it'll be perfect for fans of The Nutcracker plays etc...

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it is about ballet and the nutcracker and Christmas and those are all of my favorite things but all in one book! I think you should read this book because it is awesome!😀

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine decided to do a Christmas Storytime & I got to hear this book read aloud as part of that. It’s a great book to hear.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright

[Charity Yoder]

The puns in this were hilarious!

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the art but the story is weird and kind of disturbing.

[McKenna R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, cute, and weird rhyming picture book about a zombie ballerina dancing the Nutcracker.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are into zombies, ballet, the Nutcracker, and heart-felt picture books, this is for you.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute holiday story about friendship. It's a little long for younger readers, but I think that 1st or 2nd graders would enjoy it.

[Cathy Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombelina Dances the Nutcracker by Kristyn Crow and illustrated by Molly Idle is a delightful picture book about Zombelina and her friend Lizzie are dancing the The Nutcracker. Grandpa Phantom has other plans for this spooky opera house on the opening night of this show. Zombelina and Lizzie work together to save the show. Zombelina and her friend Lizzie both want the role of Clara in this Christmas ballet.
This is a great picture book emphasizing friendship and how working together can bring about the results needed. Having never read any of these books, I was surprised to discover the Zombelina’s delightful macabre humor. The author gives a very simplified version of The Nutcracker Suite so those not familiar with it can get a general idea of the storyline; however by mixing in the zombie theme it brings the story to a current day level that children are fixated with today. Children of all ages enjoy zombie themed books today, but this one isn’t too scary for young children.
Idle’s illustrations are remarkable. It is the eyes of the people that really add to the illustrations. They are so expressive. The colors used tie in both the “living” theme and the “zombie or dead” theme. There is nothing too scary for young children here, but just enough that an older child, grades 2--4 would enjoy it.
I would definitely recommend this book for all ages. It’s not too scary for a very young child, but just enough for an early reader to really enjoy.

[Jennifer Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun story on being different, and making friends. My six-year old is a fan of zombies, and all things scary. The name, "Zombelina," gave way to age-appropriate spookiness. I have to say upon picking it up from the library, my daughter dove, nose-first, into this one out of the stack of books we had in hand. If you have a child that is sensitive to scary things, this book will still be appropriate.

[Jess Verzello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombelina is back and is preparing for her next ballet recital: The Nutcracker. Zombelina is trying out for her dream role as Clara, but so is her friend Lizzie. When Zombelina gets the role, Lizzie is sad but also happy for Zombelina. The night of the recital, Grandpa Phantom tries to play a few of his tricks and Zombelina and Lizzie must work together to stop this trickster and keep the show going. Their teamwork and friendship make the night a stellar success.
Once again, Kristyn Crow and Molly Idle bring Zombelina to life in this Christmas adventure. Now that she is a part of the dance company, Zombelina has made some really good friends and faces the challenge of being chosen for a role both her and her friend wanted. Lizzie and Zombelina are a great example of celebrating with your friends in their accomplishments and being humble in asking for help when you need it. Zombelina Dances the Nutcracker is a fantastic holiday edition.

[Cristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombelina is back and dancing better than ever. The best thing is she has made some new friends, who love to dance as well. She decides to try out for the Nutcracker play. This is the role of her dreams. The only problem is that Grandpa Phantom decides to cause a little mischief during the performance! Fans of the first installment of Zombelina will be just as enamored with her in this second book. The author does a great job of depicting what true friendship means. The rhyming text is easy to follow and Zombelina is a very likable character. Ballet terms are intertwined in the story to make it more authentic.

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

How often do you find a picture book that a great fit for both Halloween AND Christmas? I loved Crow's use of rhyme and, as always, I adored Idle's illustrations. Many of the dance terms used were foreign to me and I wasn't completely sure how to pronounce them, so, if I were reading aloud to children I'd have to do some research. Which makes me think many of the kids might be at a loss too. Would be a great fit to use context clues, look up definitions, and research dance!

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristyn Crow gives us a delightful zombified Christmas with "Zombelina Dances The Nutcracker". Zombelina gets a chance to dance the lead in The Nutcracker, but her competition is her friend Lizzy. Though she wants to be the star, she doesn't want to hurt her friend. Kristyn finds a charming way to end this story where both friends can shine while remaining true to each other. A lovely read for any time of the year.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming story about Zombelina's path to playing the central role in The Nutcracker. I liked the part where Zombelina shares her role with her friend, but the "problem" aka Grandpa wasn't entirely satisfying. The rhyming text got a little annoying, but it makes for a sing-songy seasonal read aloud.

Pencil artwork. PreK-2.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This supernatural story shows the value of friendship and working together. It also showcases dancing and working hard for something that someone is passionate about. This book would be ideal to read aloud because the rhyming is smooth and there are many underlying jokes that adults would appreciate. If using as a critical thinking prompt, try connecting to Phantom of the Opera. Ages 4-8

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adorable story. I loved the illustrations; my daughter loved the whole thing. Would recommend.

[Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

MPIBA Fall Trade Show - October 2015