Customer Reviews

The Nutcracker

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This exquisite new version of the Nutcracker is sure to become an instant classic. The story has been simplified so that it is accessible to a younger audience and it follows the ballet rather than the more complex fairy tale. Jeffers' drawings are so evocative that you can almost hear the music as you turn the pages of the book. Every little girl who sees the ballet and dreams of meeting the sugar plum fairy will want this book to help her remember and relive those delicious memories over and over again. And everyone who has yet to see The Nutcracker will be inspired to do so.

This is one of the best "Nutcracker" books on the market. The illustrations are lovely and sweet. The story has been shortened for easier reading, but the author kept all of the important aspects. I'm giving it to my 8 year old daughter for Christmas...what a treat!

I confess I haven't yet read this version of the book. I just wanted to respond to readers who criticized this book for not following the "original". The original story, which I have read, was written by E.T.A. Hoffman. The ballet was based on his story, which had a heroine named Marie and a mouse king with multiple heads (seven I think). I suspect that that costume would have been unnecessarily complicated for the costumers and dancers.

I got this book for my then 18 month old daughter last Christmas (because I love ballet and hope she will too). This turned out to be the best purchase I have ever made for her. The book accurately follows the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The text is just short enough to keep a little ones attention and long enough to tell the whole story. The pictures are beautifully detailed and allow the reader to see something new with each reading, something that little children love. The pictures are definitely not gory or gruesome (the toy soldiers cannons are shooting candy!), nor is the text describing the action. There is really only one two-page spread that shows the battle with actual "fighting" (which is only two mice each running off with a toy soldier and the candy are being fired from the cannon). The next spread is prodimately Marie throwing her slipper at the mouse king (my daughter's favorite picture). The next picture shows the mice dragging their dead or injured (the text doesn't say and the picture isn't obvious) king under the tree as Marie grabs the nutcracker-turned-prince's hands.

The only negative thing about the book, for me, is that the dance of the sweets are all lumped together on one spread. As I was reading it I became excited to see what the pictures of the sweets would look like, but was disappointed to see that they were all together and in the distance, so there was little detailed. I had high hopes, so I was disappointed, but it doesn't take away from the overall book. And my daughter loved this book from the first read through and still does. As a result of her absolute love for this book, I purchased the DVD of the New York City Ballet's performance of it, which she also loves.

This is a wonderful book on its own, but it would be a particularly terrific introduction to ballet in general or just the Nutcracker. I highly recommend it!

This is a wonderful children's recounting of the Nutcracker Ballet. The pictures are wonderfully engaging for children, and the text is succinct enough to be read as a picture book. It is much better than the wordy versions I have seen previously, or those versions that use photographs of the real ballet. The drawings seem to be much more accessible for children than photos. I found Jeffer's version to be fairly representative of the ballet itself. I disagree with those who say that the battle with the mice was too scary - if your kids think the book is scary, they will DEFINITELY think the ballet is scary. And it's not fair to penalize the author for including the 7 headed mouse king - since this is an accurate reflection of most versions of the play. I can appreciate why one reviewer wished there were more scenes of the Land of Treats - however frankly, my kids always felt that was "the boring half" of the Nutrcracker, and I can understand why Jeffers abridged that portion of the story. Personally, my daughter loves this book and it is short enough that it can be comfortably read start to finish at bed time. My only caution is that Jeffers calls the main female character Marie. My kids were more accustomed to the name Clara for the lead girl, so I had to constantly substitute Clara for Marie throughout the whole text.

I had recently bought tickets for my 5 year old son and me to attend our town's local "Nutcracker" performance, and thought that it would be even more enjoyable for him if he knew the story-line. So, I ventured into my local bookstore to search amongst the various "Nutcracker" books. Maurice Sendak's illustrated version had always been a favorite of mine growing up, but I knew that it would be a bit too long and complicated for my objective. Finally, I discovered Susan Jeffers' book, and was immediately struck by the gorgeous illustration of Marie (Clara) holding her beloved Nutcracker on the cover. As I opened the book and turned the pages, I knew I had found "the one." The story is simple and well-written, with no more than a paragraph per page (or two). It also follows the "Nutcracker" ballet adventure, which is perfect for little ones who have seen or will see it performed on stage. Above all, the illustrations are purely breathtaking! It is a pleasure to view each page! My son and I saw the ballet yesterday, and I truly feel that he was more engaged because he was familiar with this wonderful tale! Not to mention, Susan Jeffers' "Nutcracker" has been our favorite read for the past several nights! I definitely recommend this book if you have children ages 3-12, and especially if you will be attending the ballet!

Susan Jeffers does not disappoint!!! From the opening pages to the details she includes about her reasons for writing this, "finally..." appropriately written and illustrated story of the Nutcracker for children of all ages, Jeffers sweeps you into the story with her realistic illustrations and easy, yet inclusive text.
I've taken 1st graders to see parts of The Nutcracker. Having always prepared them beforehand using books that didn't address the ballet while so many were too thick in text they couldn't possibly be useful for us. This inspirational delivery from Jeffers is a PERFECT fit. I am thrilled to add it to our library, and more thrilled that I can enjoy myself.

This is - by far - the best children's Nutcracker book. Beautiful pictures, easy for young children to stay involved in (totally immersed). The magic the book relays is wonderful. I wish the pictures included a page or two that showcased all of the 'Sweets' dances, My daughter misses them. Also, to keep with current West Coast changes, we call the little girl Clara instead of Marie.

After sitting down at a local bookstore and comparing about a dozen different versions of the Nutcracker, I chose this book as being the most appropriate for my 3 year old daughter. It is simple, well-written, uncomplicated, elegant, and yes, my daughter loved it. To this day, it is her favorite book.

I bought this book (along with a music CD) to introduce my twins to the story of the Nutcracker before taking them to the ballet. The author does a wonderful job of distilling the essential elements of this story. The seven headed mouse king is pretty creepy, indeed, but he's also somehow less scary because he is so clearly a fantasy. The story is captivating and the underlying message is that true love overlooks flaws (the main character loves the nutcracker even though he's "ugly"). Marie also is not entirely a damsel-in-distress - she saves the nutcracker with her bravery, in fact - which is refreshing. The illustrations are really wonderful, starting with the opening scene which shows a cut-away view of the house, with details to discover in each room. Keeps adults and children engaged. Glad we bought this one in hardcover, it's a keeper. PS although this story has a very loose Christmas theme, it is very subtle - there's a Christmas tree but the focus is not on the holiday other than a sense of magic and wonder.