The Nutcracker in Harlem

by T.E. McMorrow, James Ransome (Illustrator)

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year!

This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season.

In this original retelling, set in New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, one little girl finds her voice as a musician thanks to her enchanting adventures with a magical toy.

This quintessential holiday tale is brought to vivid life by debut picture book author T. E. McMorrow and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator James Ransome. An author’s note at the end provides additional information about the history of the Harlem Renaissance, and about the author’s inspiration for this musical retelling.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, African American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author T.E. McMorrow spins the story of Marie, a young girl during the Harlem Renaissance who must learn to join in the music around her, in this African-American adaptation of the classic German holiday tale, The Nutcracker. Although she loves the jazz musicians who are attending her parents' grand Christmas party, Marie is shy about singing with them. Then her Uncle Cab gives her a toy nutcracker, and she has a magical dream in which the Nutcracker battles a menacing Mouse King. Marie herself plays an important role in the battle, discovering the musical talent - drumming - that will allow her to enter into the world of music around her, once she is awake again...

Apparently inspired by McMorrow's time working as a stagehand for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Nutcracker in Harlem is a fairly faithful retelling of the first section of E.T.A. Hoffman's Christmas fairy-tale Nussknacker und Mausekönig ("The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"), originally published in 1816. The main change - Marie uses the drum to help defeat the Mouse King, rather than throwing her shoe at him - has great significance for the larger themes of the story, which highlights the importance of music and musical expression, in the life of the heroine and her community. I enjoyed McMorrow's narrative, which is quite poetic at times, and found James Ransome's watercolor artwork beautiful. Recommended to Nutcracker fans looking for something a little different, as well as to anyone searching for children's stories set during the Harlem Renaissance.

[Denise Lauron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful retelling of the classic story. The illustrations are wonderful, and the story is modern. It would hold the attention of an older child.

[Margaret]

Christmas Eve is two days away. Today after playing with my canine companion outside, I found thirty-six white bags and thirty-six white candles on my doorstep. Our neighborhood is the only one in the area to line luminaries along the streets on Christmas Eve. They have been doing it for fifty-three years. My home sits on a corner lot, so I have the honor of placing the lights on two sides. It is going to be a wonderful sight.

Each year this time brings to mind welcome memories of past celebrations and traditions. In The Nutcracker in Harlem (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, September 26, 2018), debut picture book by author T. E. McMorrow with illustrations by James Ransome, a story set in the 1920s era gives readers a glimpse into a marvelous time in African American cultural history. The art, music, dance, theater and literature in Harlem in New York City, New York, were spectacular, singular and made a lasting impact on world culture.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited for this book, but it ended up disappointing me by only covering the Nutcracker story through the battle with the mice. That is my least favorite part of the story, and is the only fantastical element that this picture book focuses on. It is a cute, well-illustrated Christmas story about a young girl in Harlem, and can still appeal on that level, but I would not recommend it as a Nutcracker retelling.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly faithful retelling of the story of The Nutcracker but set in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem in the 1920s. The illustrations are rich and colorful and beautifully evoke Harlem of that time. A lovely addition to any collection

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: It was snowing in Harlem on Christmas Eve. The party at Marie's house swirled with colors, gold and red and green. Mama and Poppy were dancing. Miss Addie sang, and Uncle Cab played the piano. Marie loved the sound of Christmas.

Premise/plot: This picture book is an adaptation of The Nutcracker. In this adaptation, the story is set in Harlem during the 1920s. Marie, the heroine, is a bit shy or hesitant; she hasn't found her confidence yet to sing or dance, to join in the vibrant life of her family and community. All that will change one magical Christmas Eve.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I liked this creative retelling.

This book would pair well with Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite by Anna Harwell Celenza. The two books set out to do different things. One is a retelling of a traditional story in a new setting. The other is based on a true story, of how Duke Ellington transformed the Nutcracker Suite into JAZZ.

But both celebrate LIVING LIFE. Even if you don't seek out this other picture book, do give Ellington's Nutcracker Suite a listen. I do think the music would provide a great soundtrack for McMorrow's picture book.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely delightful retelling of the story of 'The Nutcracker'. I enjoyed the setting, the charming illustrations, the nod to 2 great Jazz musicians, and the entirety of this book!
4.5 stars

[Renn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Miss Addie knelt next to Marie.
‘Will you sing with me, Marie?’ she asked.
Marie shook her head.
‘Maybe next time,’ Miss Addie said. ‘Music lives inside everyone. You just have to let it out.’”

[Chelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Nicole Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice version of the Nutcracker story with an added message of finding your own talents and making art in whatever way works for you.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book, a retelling of "The Nutcracker and the mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffman, is set in Harlem in the 1920s during the Harlem Renaissance. Young Marie is reluctant to join the Christmas party given by her parents. Uncle Cab gives her a special gift...a nutcracker! A magical transformation awaits Marie as she sleeps and dreams under the family Christmas tree.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's the perfect holiday book for girls who love the Nutcracker story or ballet. A  young girl during the Harlem Renaissance learns (while dreaming of the Nutcracker)  to stand up and join in the music making by playing the drum!  The illustrations by James Ransome are gorgeous and bring this period of history to life.  Made me want to dance with the Nutcracker! The author was, in his youth, a stage hand for the Dance Theater of Harlem, so watched the company rehearse. He creates in this story a joyous reminiscence of another time.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nutcracker in Harlem is a re-telling of the classic Nutcracker story, set in the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. I was intrigued to see how the story would evolve with the new setting, but was disappointed by how little things changed.

Marie is at a party, and is given a nutcracker drummer doll for Christmas from her Uncle Cab. After presents, Miss Addie asks Marie if she wants to sing. She doesn’t. Miss Addie then tells her that “Music lives inside everyone. You just have to let it out.”

That night, Marie dreams that she has become the size of the nutcracker drummer, and the tin soldiers. Mice come and try to steal candy canes and sweet potato pie, but the tin soldiers fight back. At one point, the nutcracker is attacked and stops drumming. When the drumming stops, the tin soldiers stop fighting. In order to save the soldiers and win the battle, Marie grabs the drum and begins playing. With the music to urge them on, the tin soldiers win the battle. The moral of the story being that Marie found her voice in music, due to this dream.

I was disappointed by how much the story was cut down: very little magic, no Sugar Plum Fairy, etc. I was expecting to see Black ballet representation, as there is very little Black presence in ballet. The first Black ballerina to perform the Sugar Plum Fairy role was only in 2015, after all. Since The Nutcracker is such a famous ballet, I assumed dance would be a central theme to this story. I was disappointed to see that I was wrong.

This is still a nice book, just not what I was expecting.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

McMorrow, T. E. The Nutcracker in Harlem. PICTURE BOOK. Illustrated by James Ransome. Harper, 2017. $18.

Even with all of the music surrounding her, young Marie can’t seem to find her voice and join in. Then for Christmas one year, Uncle Cab gives her a nutcracker. That night her dreams are filled with a crazy story of ranks of nutcracker soldiers fighting a large mouse army. Its only when Marie takes up the drum and joins in that the mice are repelled. Though it may not strictly be a voice, Marie has found her songs.

At first I thought this was going to be a story of the Nutcracker ballet being performed in Harlem. Instead, I found a sweetly rhythmic retelling of the Nutcracker story itself. McMorrow’s editing and imaginings bring the sights and sounds of Harlem alive and are perfectly complimented by Ransome’s illustrations.

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Micha O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut picture book author McMorrow teams up with seasoned illustrator Ransome to create a magical twist on the classic story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Set in 1920’s Sugar Hill New York, the illustrations are as alive and vibrant as life during the Harlem Renaissance. Little Marie loves the sound of the music playing at her party on Christmas Eve; she wants to sing along, but is afraid she’s not any good. Gifted a drummer boy nutcracker from Cab (as in Calloway), Marie lies by the twinkling Christmas tree while everyone around her is singing and dancing. When she awakes, the tree has grown, and the toy soldiers given to her brother are life-sized. From here, the story here closely follows the original, with a battle between the mice and toy soldiers. Through it, though, Marie is able to find the music within herself, as she had been encouraged by Miss Addie (a nod to Duke Ellington vocalist Adelaide Hall). “Music lives inside everyone. You just have to let it out.”

[Gmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a DELIGHTFUL surprise to find on my doorstep this holiday. I've enjoyed several versions of this wonderful holiday story over the years and it never fails to amaze me how they manage to come up with some new version that still captures the magic of the original, yet brings its own dose of holiday fun. Take this one for example...it adds a jazzy flair to the story of old with a leading little lady trying to find her voice in a time when the rhythm was what you made of it. Watching Marie become ensnared in the battle between the soldiers and the Rat King, seeing her dismay when it seemed like all was lost, and then triumphantly taking up for the little drummer boy nutcracker...why it weaved its own web of magic and wonder that'll capture hearts and minds for many seasons to come.


**copy received for review

[MotherofReaders · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter and I love the nutcracker ballet and story. I also love books featuring minority main characters. I was so excited for this one.

The illustrations were gorgeous and my four year old seemed reasonably interested and read it on her own a couple of times later. We will likely add it to our yearly Christmas rotation.

That said, while the story was fine, it did fall short of my expectations for a nutcracker retelling (which may have been unfair to start with) . I’m not sure if I was looking for something which would have more closely tracked the magical ballet version (which is odd because we typically prefer realistic fiction), but I felt somewhat let down. I wonder if my daughter and I would have liked it better if the title was different and it’s connection the nutcracker was a surprise to be uncovered rather than the selling point.

[June Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful adaptation of 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' by E.T.A. Hoffman. This version is set in Harlem (New York, New York) during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's.

The 'Author's Note' at the end of the book is valuable in introducing children to the rich history of the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem in New York City during this time period.

I believe the fashions and accessories featured in this book are accurate to the period from my knowledge of Jazz Age designs. The illustrations are rich in detail and vivid in color. This book was a delight to read.

A book the entire family will enjoy. Highly recommended!

-------------------------

I borrowed this book from the local public library.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christmas tale, The Nutcracker with a musical spin, depicts the story of a shy young girl who is inspired by her dream to come out of her shell. The setting is integral to this retelling; Marie is surrounded by the music of the Harlem Renaissance, and over the course of the story gains the courage to make her own music. Simple but well-written sentences and dialog compose the tale, making it appropriate for younger audiences. The author’s note provides some background about the famous musicians, who may be unknown to young readers. Watercolor illustrations capture the liveliness of the music while being highly realistic, making the main character relatable to the reader. Children ages 5-9 will enjoy hearing this story read aloud during the holidays.

[Grace MacLaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, why does this book totally skip over Act Two of the ballet? She fights the rats and then she wakes up, book over! No fairies, no princes, waltzing flowers, leaping Russians, nothing! I get that this part of the ballet is super problematic and reeks of cultural tourism and orientalism, but it's also rules, and it's the part of the ballet that keeps people coming back, again and again. Many black artists have created their own takes on this story, and spotlighted black music and dance styles. I don't see why you couldn't do this in a picture book. Take your heroine on a tour, show her sights and sounds, food and fashion from all over the African diaspora, all over New York City, all over Harlem! Let her have fun, let her be queen for a day, and then let her go hug her family on Christmas morning! It feels like a missed opportunity.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really beautifully illustrated retelling of the Nutcracker. It's set in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance, with lots of music and art around.

The retelling is mainly of Act I. (No Land of Sweets or equivalent; Marie just wakes up.) The nutcracker is also never broken.

Marie's growth arc is about having the confidence to be part of creating music herself, not just listening to others.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and diverse retelling of a masterpiece. This is a Nutcracker story with a lovely reminder about how the power of music and dance can inspire and transform people. Much like it did to this story's main character, Marie. This is one of my favorite holiday books I've read this year. I highly recommend picking this one up! McMorrow's retelling is simply lovely.

REVIEW http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2017/1...

[Sara Easterly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Harlem’s Sugar Hill in the 1920s, this re-telling of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is lovely. Fictional characters are named after influential musicians of the Harlem Renaissance Adelaide Hall, Duke Ellington, and Cab Calloway — each of whom influence the main character, Marie, as she looks up to them as her role models.

Reviewed as a roundup of my favorite holiday books at https://bookbonding.wordpress.com/201...

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the Nutcracker story, only set in Harlem in the 1920's. Two of the fictional characters are named after prominent jazz musicians who were based in Harlem during that era (Adelaide Hall and Cab Calloway).
The illustrations were nice.
The kids enjoyed the book, though it is a little bit on the longer side, text-wise.

[Maddie Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retelling of the famous Christmas story, although this time it's set in Harlem. Marie dreams of all her mother's Christmas ornaments coming to life, and she sings and dances to jazz music with them. When she wakes up, she is excited to join her family in celebrating Christmas through song and dance.

[Sherria Parchman-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction Picture Book
Grades K-4

This book has stunning illustration that are rich and colorful which beautifully evoke Sugar Hill section of the Harlem Renaissance era. I think this story will capture readers attention of all nationalities just as the Nutcracker did. I really with this book was publish when I was a child.

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King during the Harlem Renaissance? Um, YES. This book hits every note and it's so powerful and good. I love the artwork and the inclusion of Jazz? And for little Marie to pick up that drum?

I have never read/watch any Nutcracker, but from this book, I think it's in good hands.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nieces and nephews were fortunate enough to come to this after having seen one of the traditional Nutcracker performances available in full on YouTube. They were inspired by the originals, and they loved this variation on the story. The illustrations were lovely and the book was requested several times.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one because I was irritated about how terrible the last children book I read based off the Nutcracker was.this one was a whole lot better. The story was more coherent even though it was shorter. It was enjoyable, there were no plot holes and the pictures were really nice.
This one I would recommend.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous retelling of the Nutcracker which takes place during the Harlem Renaissance and features some real life jazz greats. Gorgeous and colorful illustrations and an engaging storyline will enthrall young children who love the story of the Nutcracker.