Nutcracker by By E.T.A. Hoffmann; Illustrations by Maurice Sendak
As a little girl completely mesmerized by the Nutcracker ballet, I could not pass up the opportunity to read the actual story by E.T.A. Hoffman. Translated by Ralph Manheim into this beautifully illustrated edition, I didn’t realize what a treat I was in store for.  Delightful, delightful!  I felt like a little girl again! All the magic of Christmas just pours out of the pages! The illustrator (who also illustrated Where the Wild Things Are) creates the most quaint and intricate scenes. What a legacy he has left behind.
I would chunk the book into three sections–the first being the familiar Act I of the Nutcracker ballet, with all the characters and general storyline similar to the well-known tale, but with charming details that cannot be expressed without words.
The second section is a new story that Drosselmeier tells, “The Story of the Hard Nut”, which I thought was just delightful. I found myself chuckling through the whole thing! It tells the tale of how the Nutcracker began to be, and the background story behind the battle between him and the mice.
The third portion picks up with the familiar storyline of Act II, just as mystical in word as the dances and costumes of the Nutcracker ballet.
Because this book is somewhat lengthy for young children (it is, after all, more than 100 pages long), I would probably recommend it to be read over several nights to children with short attention spans under the age of seven. Children above eight years old will love this quick and humorous read, and adults will be so entertained reading this to their children or grandchildren. I think it appeals to little boys and girls alike, with Marie as the heroine, and her brother Fritze a leading man.
The cheeky pictures are so coordinated with the quirky text, that this book is such a perfect package of wonder!   A most perfect Christmas gift! I will absolutely be pulling this book out every Christmas!
You can find more info on the book HERE.
You can read more about the author, E.T.A. Hoffmann, HERE.
*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
