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The Nutcracker
The New York City Ballet presents a classic ballet tale for a modern ballet lover with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, a holiday favorite.
The New York City Ballet is known for showcasing classic stories of the ballet with their trademark stylish and modern sensibility. For the first time, this beloved holiday story is told based on George Balanchine’s quintessential production. The storyline of this gorgeous picture book mimics the choreography of the famous ballet and the illustrations are inspired by the backdrops and scenery from the actual production.
The New York City Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker is considered to be “the” leading production in the world. A holiday tradition for many families, now readers who can’t travel to New York will be able to experience this colorful celebratory story. A must-have for every aspiring ballerina’s library and a holiday tradition for every family’s bookshelf.
The New York City Ballet is known for showcasing classic stories of the ballet with their trademark stylish and modern sensibility. For the first time, this beloved holiday story is told based on George Balanchine’s quintessential production. The storyline of this gorgeous picture book mimics the choreography of the famous ballet and the illustrations are inspired by the backdrops and scenery from the actual production.
The New York City Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker is considered to be “the” leading production in the world. A holiday tradition for many families, now readers who can’t travel to New York will be able to experience this colorful celebratory story. A must-have for every aspiring ballerina’s library and a holiday tradition for every family’s bookshelf.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1815
24 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 30, 2018
Such a gorgeous retelling of the famous ballet - and what’s more fitting than reading it after seeing a version of the ballet last week?
October 20, 2024
Very cute children picture book for Christmas that I read a bit late or very early. Anyway I enjoy reading it, the story is fun, full of magic and wonders and the illustrations are marvelous. Good one!
Nice reread! Magical story and great art!
Nice reread! Magical story and great art!
December 14, 2016
Ех, пак съм закъсняла! Трябвало е по-рано да я прочета, още като дете, за да я оценя по достойнство.
January 23, 2018
Beautiful! This large, wonderfully illustrated picture book of the Nutcracker is a must for ballet lovers and nice for any child to enjoy.
December 22, 2017
First sentence: It was Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaums' house, and like children everywhere, Marie and Fritz were so excited that they could feel their toes tingle. Their parents were decorating the Christmas tree before the big holiday party, and Marie and Fritz were not allowed into the great room until it was done. They jostled each other to sneak a peek at the glittering tree through the keyhole.
Premise/plot: This is a picture book adaptation of the BALLET, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. The book concludes with some "Fun Facts" about the ballet.
My thoughts: I love, love, love the music of The Nutcracker. I would happily--do happily--listen to it throughout the year. It has never been just "holiday" music to me. This picture book puts into words the story of the Nutcracker ballet. I would definitely recommend sharing this story--or another like it--with little ones before taking them to see the ballet. I think knowing the story--how everything fits together and flows--is essential to enjoying the experience of seeing The Nutcracker live.
This picture book has wonderful illustrations. The illustrations alone make it worthy of checking out of the library.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
Premise/plot: This is a picture book adaptation of the BALLET, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. The book concludes with some "Fun Facts" about the ballet.
My thoughts: I love, love, love the music of The Nutcracker. I would happily--do happily--listen to it throughout the year. It has never been just "holiday" music to me. This picture book puts into words the story of the Nutcracker ballet. I would definitely recommend sharing this story--or another like it--with little ones before taking them to see the ballet. I think knowing the story--how everything fits together and flows--is essential to enjoying the experience of seeing The Nutcracker live.
This picture book has wonderful illustrations. The illustrations alone make it worthy of checking out of the library.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
December 16, 2016
It's been a long time since I've seen the Nutcracker ballet, so it was fun to read this picture book based on that ballet. I was a bit surprised that the main character's name was Marie and not Clara, but the story remained pretty much how I remembered it. The broken Nutcracker coming to life to fight the Mouse King, and the trip to The Land of Sweets, and all the beautiful dancing that is so much a part of the story. Being based on the ballet, the illustrator chose to create illustrations that reflect that, so all of the characters look like dancers and are in dance positions throughout the story. The illustrations are elegant and sweet, perfect for sharing with younger children, especially since Marie and her Prince are fairly young in the story. The fun facts at the end of the story as well as the background on the creation of the ballet was informative and interesting to me. A fun version of the story that would work well with younger readers who are in to dancing. In fact it would be fun to stop and act out some of the dancing sequences.
October 10, 2018
Absolutely gorgeous version of The Nutcracker, based on the Balanchine ballet. Just gorgeous. I could hear the music in my head as I turned the pages. This would be a lovely book to pair with a cd of the music for a young fan, or as a way to become familiar with the story before going to the ballet. I have a feeling this might be coming home with me for keeps.
December 1, 2020
What an enchanting and beautiful book. Emma and I loved it so much
January 12, 2020
Muy buena adaptación del ballet del Cascanueces de George Balanchine. Las ilustraciones son preciosas y recuerdan a la perfección a la escenificación del New York City Ballet de esta obra.
December 24, 2020
4.5 stars because it was rushed, but it’s for kids so I get why.
I loved this book because I used to love this story as a kid.
It’s short, but sweet (literally).
It is perfect for a day before Christmas read!
I loved this book because I used to love this story as a kid.
It’s short, but sweet (literally).
It is perfect for a day before Christmas read!
March 28, 2018
The illustrations of this book are spectacular. Each of the picture is a fantastic masterpiece of its own: the colour scheme is romantically soft, the characters are stunning and fairytale-like, the composition is surreal and beautiful. I love them all!
The story is based on the world-famous ballet production. It is a nice story, but we probably can't expect it to make much sense or convey any deep meaningful lessons. After all, this is supposed to be a dance performance.
The story is nonsensical, involving Christmas, a magical nutcracker that could turn into a handsome prince/ or the nephew of Marie's Godfather, life-sized dolls, walnut boat, enchanted Land of Sweets with dancing fairies, sugar canes, Chinese tea, Spanish hot chocolates and Arabian coffee.
I am not too sure whether the whole story was supposed to be a marvelous dream or an adventurous experience of a kind-hearted girl. I am very tempted to watch the ballet production after reading this book, so I guess this book is definitely a success! I don't think my 22-month old little-AJ could follow the story well, but he was happy just gazing at the pictures, and did not make any protest listening to the story from first page till end.
Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...
The story is based on the world-famous ballet production. It is a nice story, but we probably can't expect it to make much sense or convey any deep meaningful lessons. After all, this is supposed to be a dance performance.
The story is nonsensical, involving Christmas, a magical nutcracker that could turn into a handsome prince/ or the nephew of Marie's Godfather, life-sized dolls, walnut boat, enchanted Land of Sweets with dancing fairies, sugar canes, Chinese tea, Spanish hot chocolates and Arabian coffee.
I am not too sure whether the whole story was supposed to be a marvelous dream or an adventurous experience of a kind-hearted girl. I am very tempted to watch the ballet production after reading this book, so I guess this book is definitely a success! I don't think my 22-month old little-AJ could follow the story well, but he was happy just gazing at the pictures, and did not make any protest listening to the story from first page till end.
Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...
February 27, 2017
The pictures were cute and I don't see the NYCB as cute. I feel it is more sophisticated. I also thought it was odd that Herr Droselmeier was able to bring his nephew and the nutcracker to the party. If the nephew is the nutcracker how can they both be there. Otherwise I liked the book. Like I said the pictures were cute and I could see the sweets dancing. All in all a fun book. The facts at the end were very interesting. I can't imagine wrangling that many people backstage.
November 18, 2018
this is a gorgeous rendering of the Nutcracker ballet story (not the original tale). It runs a little long for a read-aloud, but really captures the spirit of the dance. I read this aloud with the sugarplum fairy dance playing in the background!
January 8, 2019
winterbreak bookaday #1. Beautiful stylized illustrations closely follow storyline of the 1993 movie of the Balanchine production of the Nutcracker ballet. Fun facts in the back.
January 26, 2020
The charming illustrations will make this story even more magical for those reading it. A great introduction to the classic ballet story.
January 6, 2022
I struggle with this book, as I like the illustrations in the other NYCB/Docampo books very much, but they don't really work for me in this one. Just in the way they're laid out in the book and the color palette and, just, everything -- it's not cohesive, I think, is the best way to describe it. It doesn't click with me.
And the story doesn't do it for me either. It's not just the plot (though my opinions on that could fill it's own review), but the way it was told in this edition. With the phrasing and everything, I just didn't like the way the text was written. The tone was kind of serious with the story, but it also included lines like "Crack, crack!" when introducing the nutcracker. I couldn't figure out who the intended audience was. I also felt like I was missing something about the plot that shouldn't be missing, and my 6yo cousin struggled with it as well. Unfortunately I think this is a ballet that just won't do well in this format, without the music to pull it all together.
And the story doesn't do it for me either. It's not just the plot (though my opinions on that could fill it's own review), but the way it was told in this edition. With the phrasing and everything, I just didn't like the way the text was written. The tone was kind of serious with the story, but it also included lines like "Crack, crack!" when introducing the nutcracker. I couldn't figure out who the intended audience was. I also felt like I was missing something about the plot that shouldn't be missing, and my 6yo cousin struggled with it as well. Unfortunately I think this is a ballet that just won't do well in this format, without the music to pull it all together.
January 1, 2019
I like the style of the illustrations, and they match a lot of the Balanchine costumes and choreography well*. The book accurately tells the Balanchine ballet version of the story.
But some of the major beats of the story aren't actually in the illustrations. We don't see Marie initially meet Drosselmeier's nephew. We see the Nutcracker break, but Marie and Fritz are absent from that illustration. We don't see the nephew give Marie the bed, we don't see them dance together. We do see them say goodbye, but it loses a lot of the drama of the ballet.
*Notable exceptions: Clara shouldn't be en pointe, but that might be more of a style thing. Dewdrop's dress matches the Flowers better than does the real costume. Sugar Plum doesn't change tutus for the pas, which is a good choice for the book.
But some of the major beats of the story aren't actually in the illustrations. We don't see Marie initially meet Drosselmeier's nephew. We see the Nutcracker break, but Marie and Fritz are absent from that illustration. We don't see the nephew give Marie the bed, we don't see them dance together. We do see them say goodbye, but it loses a lot of the drama of the ballet.
*Notable exceptions: Clara shouldn't be en pointe, but that might be more of a style thing. Dewdrop's dress matches the Flowers better than does the real costume. Sugar Plum doesn't change tutus for the pas, which is a good choice for the book.
December 14, 2018
My three-year-old niece has loved to dance ever since she watched Leap. She was entranced by my video of the New York City Ballet's staging of The Nutcracker, so I wanted to give her a suitable Nutcracker book as a Christmas present. I was delighted that this book (I bought the reasonably priced board book, but there is also a larger, hardcover version) mirrors the NYCB performance. There's a lot of Nutcracker books out there, many of which reflect the 2018 Disney movie, but I preferred this one for its soft, evocative illustrations and a storyline that doesn't end with a fairy-tale marriage (as many versions do) or sorrow at separation (like the NYCB performance itself) but hopefulness and gratitude.
September 23, 2018
As a picture book, it was okay. It was a bit text dense and for Miss 4 the plot was a bit disjointed. I ended up making up my own words. May appeal more to adults (i.e. I really like the ballet so it has a different meaning to me than Miss 4).
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
January 3, 2019
The story told in Balanchine's Nutcracker. Perfect for anyone going to see it live (currently in 2018 it's performed by New York City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Miami City Ballet) or anyone watching the recording with Macaulay Culkin. Note that the illustrations match the NYCB costumes best.
Those who are used to other Nutcrackers will notice differences that can make for interesting discussions.
I'm a bit surprised to see that NYCB's official telling of the Nutcracker doesn't include any photos from the ballet itself.
Those who are used to other Nutcrackers will notice differences that can make for interesting discussions.
I'm a bit surprised to see that NYCB's official telling of the Nutcracker doesn't include any photos from the ballet itself.
December 9, 2021
Since I moved to NYC, about this time every year, I’ve went to Lincoln Center with my family and friends to see the Nutcracker. And every time watching the performance, I wondered, ‘Why ballerinas wear some Spanish, Arabic and Chinese costumes in some scenes?’
I should’ve read this book earlier. It was the scene that Marie and the prince meet spicy Spanish hot chocolate, Arabian coffee and Chinese tea in the Land of Sweets. Lol
I’m glad I finished reading this book before going to see the ballet this year.
I should’ve read this book earlier. It was the scene that Marie and the prince meet spicy Spanish hot chocolate, Arabian coffee and Chinese tea in the Land of Sweets. Lol
I’m glad I finished reading this book before going to see the ballet this year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2022
"The Nutcracker" by, Valeria Docampo is a beautiful retelling of the classic Nutcracker Ballet. I love to watch children fall in love with the magic of the nutcracker story every year. In my future classroom I would love to study different aspects of the Nutcracker around the holidays. I think the story can inspire children and get them in the magical spirit of the holidays. I h=give this book 5 stars because I think it is a perfect retelling of the ballet and children of all ages will be able to follow and fall in love with the story.
February 24, 2019
Book 09 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019
I absolutely love this story and this was a beautifully illustrated book images by Valeria Docampo This version is based on the New York City Ballet and included some great facts at the back for example there were 50+ dancers and 60+ children involved. Wonderful.
I absolutely love this story and this was a beautifully illustrated book images by Valeria Docampo This version is based on the New York City Ballet and included some great facts at the back for example there were 50+ dancers and 60+ children involved. Wonderful.
September 8, 2019
This book had beautiful illustrations, the book was pretty to look at and I'm sure kids would feel the same way. This book is based on the New York City Ballet production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. Although I have never seen that ballet, judging the book off illustrations and words, the book is pretty great.
December 26, 2021
Bought this one for my niece since there’s plans for her to be in ballet when she’s older. It’s produced by the New York City Ballet Company who often performs this play. This picture book is beautifully and whimsically illustrated. I fell in love with the different cultures depicted upon its pages. Adorable for anyone who loves the Nutcracker and ballet.
December 30, 2021
This rendition of The Nutcracker is wonderfully displayed with beautiful illustrations by Valeria Docampo. I love Nutcrackers and collect them and thus I am drawn to storybooks about them. We, as a family, love watching some rendition of The Nutcracker each year around Christmas. I love Tchaikovsky's music, the dances, and the story.
December 29, 2019
Wish I had read this sweet little book before seeing the ballet (in The Coliseum, London) as the ballet made no sense to me without any explanation. Love the illustrations. Also enjoyed the facts about the ballet production at the end of the story.
December 2, 2020
This might be my favorite version of this beloved story. We watch George Balanchine's Nutcracker every Christmas Eve, so the story has special significance to our family. This version beautifully captures the wonder in both word and illustration.
December 31, 2021
I never thought I'd adore a picture book as an adult but I can't seem to get enough of the Nutcracker story... This book is based on the New York City Ballet's rendition of the Nutcracker. It was so sweet and the illustrations were gorgeous. I can't wait to read this to my kids in the future!
January 2, 2022
Really like the illustrations in this one, but haven't read it through very many times. We went through a period where the toddler would refuse to let us read this book aloud to him. He would flip to the page with the Mouse King, shout, "Go away!", and then solemnly close the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews