The Nutcracker

by Alison Jay

Based on the Balanchine ballet, this sumptuous package is the perfect gift for any fan of The Nutcracker -young or old. The nicely balanced text (not too much, not too little) captures all the best moments and sets the stage for Alison Jay's richly imagined art. Sharp-eyed readers will notice tiny details playing out thrillingly over the course of the story (keep an eye on the gifts under the Christmas tree!). From the cozy Christmas party to the delectable Marzipan Palace, Alison Jay's artwork is truly enchanting-a snow-globe version of The Nutcracker to read every night before Christmas and all winter long.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2010

About the author

Alison Jay was born in Hertfordshire, grew up in Derbyshire and studied graphic design in London where she now lives. After graduating she worked in animation for a short while but gradually started to get commissions in illustration. She works in Alkyd a quick drying oil paint on paper and sometimes adds a crackle varnish to give the work an aged appearance. She has worked in all areas of illustration including
advertising ,packaging, editorial and design. Her commission's include a 48 sheet poster for B.T, a TV commercial for Kellogg's corn flakes and has recently illustrated the new baby range of products for Crabtree and Evelyn. She has also illustrated lots of children's books including 'Picture This', 'William and the night train','The Race', 'I
took the moon for a walk', 'The Emperors new clothes, If Kisses were colours, 'ABC Alphabet', an unabridged fully illustrated version of 'Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland',Listen Listen', 'Welcome to the Zoo', 'A Child's first Counting Book', 'Today is the Birthday of the World' and 'Nursery Rhyme Rainbow'. She recently worked with Aardman Animation on the development
of a feature film and is currently working on a version of 'The Nutcracker'.

Her book 'Welcome to the Zoo' which is a wordless visit to a cage less 'animal hotel' has been selected as one of New York's Bank Street's 2009 best
books of the year.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

English artist Alison Jay retells the classic Christmas fairy-tale of The Nutcracker in this lovely holiday picture-book, using the story from the ballet as a starting point, rather than the original tale from E.T.A. Hoffmann. All the incidents that are so well-known and loved from the ballet - the gift of the wooden Nutcracker to Clara, from her Godfather Drosselmeyer; the battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King; the journey to the Land of Sweets; the dances of the various national characters; the Sugar Plum Fairy's solo - are described here. The story concludes as Clara wakes the next day, keeping her adventure to herself, but hoping that every Christmas will be as magical as this one...

This iteration of The Nutcracker is a lovely one, boasting Jay's signature artwork, created in oil paint and finished with a crackle varnish that gives it its distinctive "cracked" appearance. The narrative is pleasant, and (as mentioned) covers all the usual incidents, but it is the artwork here that is the star. I enjoyed perusing these paintings, and appreciated the golden tone of Jay's palette. I found her plump cat, seen in many of the domestic scenes at Clara's house, particularly droll for some reason. It probably helps that I have a weakness for chubby kitties. There's plenty of sparkle to this picture-book (and glitter on the cover), and an overall "glowing" feeling to the artwork that suites the narrative quite well. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-book presentations of the story of the ballet, The Nutcracker.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely holiday confection, this book is based on The Nutcracker ballet. The story is told in a very readable and accessible way that will invite children who don’t know the ballet story to hear it for the first time. It also welcomes those who know the ballet to return to the story in a new format. The book follows Clara as she moves through her Christmas Eve and receives a nutcracker toy for a present. Her brother works the mechanism too hard and the nutcracker’s jaw is broken. In the evening Clara returns to her toy, curling up with it under the Christmas tree. She awakens to find the tree and her nutcracker growing bigger and bigger. Her adventure continues as the nutcracker fights the mouse king and then becomes a prince. The prince takes Clara to his castle in the land of sweets where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Jay remains true to the story of the ballet, her skillful writing making the story a pleasure to share aloud. It is her illustrations that really make this a special book. As with her other picture books, the illustrations are done with a crackled finish that creates a sense of timelessness that is perfect for this story. She uses deep colors that evoke the holidays, the warmth of the fireside, and the delight of candy.

If you have a young ballerina in your life, this would make a wonderful holiday gift. It is a great choice for libraries looking for a holiday picture book that is an instant classic. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have read/watched several kid versions of The Nutcracker, and so far I like this one the best. I love Alison Jay books anyway; she always puts in such clever details. But also this is pretty close to the actual ballet version that I love (I think it’s the George Balanchine one). It is written well for a picture book; the storytelling was nice and complete-feeling. I could imagine my kids being familiar with this version of the story and later watching the ballet and actually understanding it as relating to the story.

[Μ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Θαυμάσια έκδοση με πανέμορφη, μαγική εικονογράφηση από την Βρετανή Άλισον Τζέι (η οποία χρησιμοποίησε θαρρώ κάποιες λεπτομέρειες αγγλικών παραδόσεων στις εικόνες της). Ακολουθεί την ιστορία του Καρυοθραύστη εμπνευσμένη από την σκηνοθεσία του George Balanchine για τα Μπαλέτα της Νέας Υόρκης. Ειλικρινά, με έκανε να λυπηθώ λίγο που δεν μπορώ να μπω κι εγώ μες στις ζωγραφιές και να χορέψω με την Ζαχαρένια Νεράιδα... Μπράβο στις εκδόσεις Χάρτινη Πόλη :)

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells more of the story of the Nutcracker Ballet, than another book I read the same day. It is well written, and has nice illustrations, but it is too long to tell to the young children, who will be coming to the story time, at our Nativity Event.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale based on the popular George Balanchine ballet version of fantasy and Christmas magic. Clara is rewarded with a visit to the Land of Sweets, and into the Marzipan Palace after her brave deed that freed the prince from the Mouse King's spell.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my children who are both in the Nutcracker. It is more similar to the story they dance to then others. I love the art. Just beautiful.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice art and retelling of the story - but nothing that will particularly make this children’s book stand out

[Mely · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic story with unique illustrations. We love reading this story every year during Christmas and really enjoyed this adaptation.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and colors!

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice pictures, solidretelling

[Brian Hutzell]

Clara's fat orange cat is a fun addition to this version of the popular holiday story.

[Dave Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since the reading of this story and my daughter seeing an abridged version of the Nutcracker ballet, my daughter has been enchanted. The classic story gets a beautiful treatment from Alison Jay's illustrations and her unique style adds a welcomed, unique element to the tale of a girl, her nutcracker and a magical dream.

[Eva Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

See, I had to get this one and read it because we went to SEE "The Nutcracker," but the problem is, I thought that this one would be a story about DANCING, not soldiers. But it was still good. I just need a book about dancing.
But what's good is that it's a good story, and I didn't know that it was a story before it was dancing. So now I sort of get everything about what they were doing onstage besides dancing around all random in costumes.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The classic story of The Nutcracker, with a fairly simple narrative and big, colorful illustrations that have a crackle-varnish finish on them that make them look very old. We all love the story and we enjoyed reading this book aloud together.

[carrietracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A super cutesy version of the nutcracker, this removes all of the slightly scary undercurrents present in other retellings. For more details, check out my blog post about it.

[Anajoy-rusticgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations of the Waltz of the Flowers. Slight variation of what really happened, but only minute differences. Overall, not my favorite Nutcracker retelling; however, it's still a good story.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothingwrong with the art, just not my favorite story.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two year-old very much enjoyed this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book and one I'd love to add to our Christmas collection.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not particularly my favorite story of The Nutcracker, but it is one in which most of the action (as well as the characters' names) remain true. Plus, it's a kid-friendly story.

[Robin Gassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic! The story of the nutcracker has never changed and I hope it never does. This version told a wonderful magic tale that would capture any child's attention.

[ML]

Eloise Christmas 2016

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alison Jay's signature style is absolutely lovely and cozy in this Christmas classic.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are great, but thought the ending was not as good as other tellings.

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm holding out for a different version. I think I'd like a more classic interpretation.

[Sophia Mayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It highlights the most important parts of the classic story, and the illustrations are of a timeless beauty.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It highlights the most important parts of the classic story, and the illustrations are of a timeless beauty.