The Nutcracker

by Rita Balducci, Barbara Lanza (Illustrator)

A classic retelling of the perennial tale, this Little Golden Storybook edition offers a deluxe, hardcover edition at avery affordable price.

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

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! This is one of my all-time favorite children's books!! The illustrations are breathtaking and I completely blame this book for my obsession with the Nutcracker story!!! An absolutely stunning rendition.

A little piece of home, every time I read it. Stunning illustrations and a classic story!

Just read this one again right before my sister and I went to see The Nutcracker ballet live! The illustrations get me every time. A classic story. <3

Re-read: 11.21.18
Re-read: 12.14.19

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Allison Tebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I read this once when I was little, I read it a hundred times. Because of this beautiful book, The Nutcracker was one of the first "fairy tales" that I attempted to retell as a wee little writer, and I still find elements of this story in some of my current work.

Definitely one of the most enchanting Little Golden Books out there full of marvelous illustrations.

[Bethany Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet little holiday book. The illustrations are adorable.

[Georgia ✧.* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are just amazing 😭♥️

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has always been one of my favorite versions of "The Nutcracker" since not only the pictures are beautifully done mostly in light airy colors but also since of the realistic values of them as well. Although it is based on the ballet and the same grace cannot be conveyed through the written word, the actual core of the story is beautifully captured.

The reading is good enough for young readers who are on a competent reading level although with Herr Drosselmeyer's name they made some help with pronunciation. The other thing is that if there is an adult with ample knowledge of "The Nutcracker" they may also want to add more parts and/or remove others.

My only complaint with this particular book is to fit the needs of children it does cut out a bunch of important event so all in all it is a beginner book. As for the Sugar Plum Fairy or the Dew Drop Fairy I am not quite sure which is shown while I know the Sugar Plum has more influence in the ballet so it makes it a bit sadder to se her left out.

If you are looking to add culture to your Christmas reading list that is child-friendly I would strongly support this book. Its beauty and main components are a story that can be repeated over and over again no matter the age or format.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Once there was a little girl named Clara whose family was having a wonderful party on Christmas Eve.

Premise/plot: Rita Balducci adapts the story of the Nutcracker for a Little Golden Book. The illustrations are by Barbara Lanza.

My thoughts: This one avoids being text heavy. The adaptation is just right. It isn't too simple. It isn't too complicated. There are enough illustrations to balance the text. And the pacing seems really well done perhaps because there are just a handful of sentences on each page. The illustrations really seem to sweep you away into a magical dreamland.

This is a great way to introduce younger children to the ballet, perhaps before they attend their first performance of it!

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

[Kimberly Karalius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this version a million times since I was a kid. Magical and nostalgic!

[James Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Nutcracker story. I've seen some other copies that were for older kids, but I wanted a copy for my nephew as his parents go to the play every year (except this one because well 2020). The Barnes and Noble staff had a huge leather bound version and then 1 of the Little Golden Books version and she looked all over before finally finding this. Given how much time she spent looking for me, I had to buy it.

It is a beautiful book with vreat colorful pictures that tells the story in a way that children can understand. Great copy of this classic.

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was as good of a simplification of a ballet as you can expect in a children's book. It wasn't the kids' favorite story. I had never thought about the plot of The Nutcracker too much before, but it is a little strange how the nutcracker comes to life as a handsome prince (who seems adult-like to me) and wants to run off with a girl who is still young enough to play with dolls...

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is from 1991. The illustrations remind me of Janet Grahame-Johnstone and Anne Grahame-Johnstone's. Reading level 3-4. There's some ballet in the story. It reminds me of when I played a nutcracker and sugar plum faerie at the Nutcracker ballet. It's a nice one time read and it's not going into my permanent collection.

[Ketutar Jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The pictures are very pretty, and if one's relation with the Nutcracker is based on the ballet, then one might think this is a nice book. My relation is through E.T.A. Hoffmann's fairy tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember loving this as a kid. I think it came with an tape that would tell the story with music 🎶 Pretty artwork.
One objection is that Clara doesn't really look like a little girl. then again the prince looks much older as well so that might be intentional to be not creepy.

[James Greening · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this Little Golden Book, I thought the illustrations were magical, but the story seemed a little rushed in order to fit the 24 page mandate of the Golden series. Still a lovely story for children!

[Elizabeth Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautiful artwork!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has always been a tradition that we see this play and/or watch the movie with family. I used to go with my Grandfather who passed away last year.

[Stacey]

I have two versions. Different covers and illustrations

[Hannah Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be Naomi's favorite book!

[Kimberly Souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Nutcracker story

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charming illustrations.

[Gina House · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and enjoyable book based on the Nutcracker story. It’s a really nice vintage Little Golden Book.

[Emily Prior · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

I really just read this actually little golden books because it's the real story of the nutcracker! Got to read at Christmas time!!

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A summary that seems to lose the thread of the original.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly the first time I ever heard the story. Weird story.

[spookybelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, basic version of this story to help kiddo understand what's happening in the ballet. It's a Golden Book, so not like, a literary masterpiece, but it does the trick for our purposes right now.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anther wonderful book that helps to teach setting. The varied settings throughout the book help take students on a fantastic journey. The settings take place in something of a real world as well as a fantasy world and helps students with the concept that the setting of a story can change according to what the writer wants to happen. The illustrations help the students to understand a shift from reality to fantasy.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I usually review children's book based more on what my children think of the book and less on what I think of the book...

Why do four boys love the Nutcracker? Your guess is as good as mine but they do!

[Analee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like this story but I think I would enjoy a different version. This was way too simplified. Afton really liked it.

[Kelsey Nauert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic story of the Nutcracker. The illustrations show lots of detail, which will interest students. This can be read around Christmas time.

[Gabrielle Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about the nutcracker, will always be my favorite!