The Nutcracker

by Lisbeth Zwerger (Illustrator), E.T.A. Hoffmann

For nearly two hundred years, E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale of the Nutcracker has enchanted readers, inspired artists and composers, and delighted audiences around the world. In cities and towns everywhere, children thrill to annual performances of Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet about a girl named Marie who helps a wooden nutcracker defeat an evil army of mice, and is rewarded by a visit to the magical dream world, the Land of Toys.
Lisbeth Zwerger's stunning, all-new interpretation on "The Nutcracker," adapted from the original Hoffmann tale, rounds out the story depicted in the ballet, exploring the background of the feud between the Nutcracker and the seven-headed Mouse King, the true role of the mysterious Drosselmeier, the tragic fate of Princess Pirlipat, the spell cast by Mistress Mousie that is finally broken by loyal Marie, and the satisfying, happily-ever-after conclusion to the great battle and fantastic journey. In pictures filled with wit and whimsy, drama, mystery, and magic, Lisbeth Zwerger transports us to the darkest reaches and brightest beauty of this fairy-tale world.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Classics, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Germany

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2004

About the author

Lisbeth Zwerger is an Austrian illustrator of children's books. For her "lasting contribution to children's literature" she received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1990.

Born in Vienna in 1954, she studied at the local Applied Arts Academy from 1971 to 1974. Since the publication of her first illustrated book in 1977, she has worked as a freelance picture book illustrator specializing in fairy tales.

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

All by itself, this is a great story. Unfortunately, every puts their crappy spin on it, which ruins it.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nutcracker
Zwerger, Lisbeth
This is a story of love, where an uncle attempts to enchant his niece with a magical Christmas story. The book is a  retelling of the original ballet, this book introduces children to the story in another format that allows them to connect to the artistic interpretation of the story. The historical German story told in the ballet shows the strength of love life and risking all for another. 

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Christmas fairy tale. Short & perfect bedtime story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautiful!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story of The Nutcracker and this book told it very well. There were some parts of the story that I think could have been written better and some pictures that could have been done better but overall the book was great and told the story of The Nutcracker in a simple and easy to understand way.

[T.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fever dream of a story. I love the watercolor illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am trying to find a version of the Nutcracker that captures the wonder and magic. I feel this is a 3 star ⭐️ in storyline and artist rendering.