The Nutcracker

by Berlie Doherty, Ian Beck (Illustrations)

A gift-book to treasure for all fans of this wonderful old story and ballet. It is Christmas Eve and Clara is overjoyed when Godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker in the shape of a wooden soldier. But it is at night that the magic really begins, when toys come alive, young girls become princesses and Clara’s brave nutcracker becomes the prince of her dreams. This beautiful and lyrical re-telling of Hoffman’s much-loved Nutcracker story, from which the famous ballet was created, is exquisitely and enchantingly illustrated, making it a book to treasure.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

Berlie Doherty née Hollingsworth is an English novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter. She is best known for children's books, for which she has twice won the Carnegie Medal.She has also written novels for adults, plays for theatre and radio, television series and libretti for children's opera.

Reviews

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story of family, love and magic. A little girl is given a nutcracker doll which takes her into a magical land where toys come alive. She wakes up from her dream as an adult to remember the fun and imaginative childhood she had. A good book to use around Christmas time for a more traditional story. I think children would enjoy the book and would be able to relate to some aspects such as the vivid imagination. I think the book is best suited to lower KS2 children but could also be used with both older and younger ones.

[Amara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great intro, odd voice. Lacklustre illustrations. There’s a mouse sorcerer.