The Nutcracker Ballet

by Vladimir Vagin

A lavishly illustrated gift book follows the story of Clara, a young girl who receives a wonderful Nutcracker doll for a Christmas gift and then dreams that the Nutcracker has come to life in the form of a prince.

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

1 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Coralie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for a very long time. It's always come in second to my golden book edition of the story, but I reread it with my sister before we went to see the Nashville ballet perform The Nutcracker live (which was AH-MAZING! by the way!!) and I was impressed more than I remembered. I mean, I love the story, obviously, but I haven't read this rendition of it since I was a little girl. The illustrations are actually very vibrant and colorful and the story is fun and magical as always. I especially liked the music ribbon wrapped around the texts in the land of sweets when the dancing began. It shows the different dances in the ballet, too, which is kind of unique for a book, I think. The narration is different and adds another layer to the book that makes it its own. Also, I really like Drosselmeier hiding on the clock XD

Re-read: 12.14.19

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite translation of the Nutcracker (for the words or pictures), but Vagin is a favorite illustrator of mine, so it was great to see what he did with the work. As always, his use of color brings the story to vivid life, and his version of the Sugarplum Fairy is unique - not just colored similar to, but actually draped in sugarplums. I would've preferred a more poetic narrative that could have really captured the magic of the tale, but this is certainly one of the better adaptations based on the illustrations alone.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a lifetime favorite book. Having been fortunate enough to see the NYC ballet in Lincoln Center many years in a row when I was child. This is a book that brings your right back to the moment you see the tree rise from the floor with the beautiful blue lights! Truly magical! Fantastic illustrations

[Emily✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A childhood favorite. I would absolutely pore over the brightly detailed illustrations.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have had a hard time finding a good version for my kindergartner before her Nutcracker ballet. This one works best for now.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeously illustrated book tells the story of the Nutcracker ballet in a magical and kid friendly way. Children will delight in hearing how Clara’s godfather presents her with a magical nutcracker who saves her from the mouse king and then whisks her off to his kingdom in the land of sweets where he transforms into a prince. Parents will hear the music to the ballet ringing in their heads as they read and enjoy the pictures with their children.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun one this Christmas. First we watched the ballet, then the girls danced to the music themselves, then we read the book (that probably should have been first), then Santa brought them their own Nutcrackers for Christmas.

[Alyssa (The Shady Glade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the name suggests, this adaptation of the nutcracker follows the ballet rather than the original story. The text is not really anything special, but I loved the intricacies of Vagin's illustrations.

[Anajoy-rusticgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Composer/Musical study to little sisters and brother, they loved the outline of the story, and the pictures especially.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the nutcracker ballet as long as I am not watching it. The book was cool though.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one with gorgeous illustrations! It was another favorite of mine, actually :) We borrowed several versions from the library so we could know the story before going to see the performance.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *adore* this story.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nutcracker has been my favorite for almost 25 years. I bought this for my granddaughter

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I've read this book every year at Christmastime since I got it in 2002. It's delightful, and full of energy and imagination. It's perfect for Christmas Eve. Read again 12/24/15

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas childhood favorite.

[Marcus]

Read IT ! jvjsbvboibujsbjnjbfvis bsnjsndj

[Rachel]

This nutcracker the girl's name is Clara which is what I was looking for.

[Junessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read as explanation for what goes on in the ballet. Good for children.