The Nutcracker

Age range 6 to 9

It is Christmas Eve and Clara and her brother Fritz are excited! Every year uncle Drosselmeier brings them special Christmas gifts. This year Clara gets a wooden soldier. It's a nutcracker and Fritz thinks he looks a bit silly, but Clara falls in love with his big, kind eyes. And that night she discovers her new friend can do a lot more than crack nuts. He used to be a brave soldier who fell in love with a real princess…

“PRAISE for An Leysen's other work BABA YAGA: "Leyson, whose previous retellings include The Nutcracker and Pinocchio's Dream, recounts the legend of the witch Baba Yaga through dramatic text and richly textured mixed-media illustrations....The larger-than-life artwork should make for shivery read -alouds on the way to the story's happy ending." - Publishers Weekly "The illustrations in this book are wonderful. They make the story seem magical and Olga is such a beautiful little girl. A great book when studying fairytales, especially if looking at ones from various cultures and lands. I would recommend this book to public, school and class libraries." -- Carla Johnson-Hicks, Primary school educator "Just scary enough without going too far for little ones. I highly recommend this book for a wonderful story time!" -- Jen Trower, Librarian, Tidewater Community College/City of Virginia Beach "One of the wonderful things about fairytale retellings is the way they each feel unique. While Leysen sticks to a fairly traditional retelling, the illusrations are lovely and have a dreamy quality that keep the book from feeling as scary as it could be." -- Shawna Herron, Columbia City Community Library "The illustrations are are absolutely fabulous and the book is worth reading just for those alone." -- Jessica Gerdes, Yellowstone Library "Charming Illustrations and a story that's suitable for kids." -- Kelly Garbato, Vegan Daemon "Absolutely beautiful. The illustrations, font choice, placement on the page, use of space, etc., are perfect. The story itself is also superb, and will be filed away in children's minds. I am very much looking forward to using this in a storytime setting. A beautiful retelling of a classic Slavic folktale; highly recommended for read alouds, one-on-one storytime, and independent reading." -- Jessica Rodrigues, Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library "A wonderful addition to a classroom unit of fairytales and legends, or just for sharing. I think the illustrations are what really sold it to me, with their soft ethereal feel. A delightful book for sharing a fairy tale that some might not be familiar with." - Sharon Tyler, Cheshire Public Library, Sharon the Librarian blog "Wonderful story and gorgeous illustrations!" - As the Page Turns blog "An astounding recreation with a touch of modernity given to a classic Russian folklore, this book is absolutely breathtaking! Having read some lovely Russian myth-tales as a kid Im always on the hunt for some good new publications for my kids, but rarely find anything fresh.And this one is one of those; a simplified version without twists written in clear prose and rhyme. Its anime inspired and beautiful, soft pastel shaded illustrations may make you pause at every page turn. Kids will return to this-one again and again!!" - Picks and Reads for Kids blog”

PRAISE for An Leysen's other work BABA YAGA:"Leyson, whose previous retellings include The Nutcracker and Pinocchio's Dream, recounts the legend of the witch Baba Yaga through dramatic text and richly textured mixed-media illustrations....The larger-than-life artwork should make for shivery read -alouds on the way to the story's happy ending." - Publishers Weekly"The illustrations in this book are wonderful. They make the story seem magical and Olga is such a beautiful little girl. A great book when studying fairytales, especially if looking at ones from various cultures and lands. I would recommend this book to public, school and class libraries." -- Carla Johnson-Hicks, Primary school educator"Just scary enough without going too far for little ones. I highly recommend this book for a wonderful story time!" -- Jen Trower, Librarian, Tidewater Community College/City of Virginia Beach"One of the wonderful things about fairytale retellings is the way they each feel unique. While Leysen sticks to a fairly traditional retelling, the illusrations are lovely and have a dreamy quality that keep the book from feeling as scary as it could be." -- Shawna Herron, Columbia City Community Library"The illustrations are are absolutely fabulous and the book is worth reading just for those alone." -- Jessica Gerdes, Yellowstone Library"Charming Illustrations and a story that's suitable for kids." -- Kelly Garbato, Vegan Daemon"Absolutely beautiful. The illustrations, font choice, placement on the page, use of space, etc., are perfect. The story itself is also superb, and will be filed away in children's minds. I am very much looking forward to using this in a storytime setting. A beautiful retelling of a classic Slavic folktale; highly recommended for read alouds, one-on-one storytime, and independent reading." -- Jessica Rodrigues, Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library"A wonderful addition to a classroom unit of fairytales and legends, or just for sharing. I think the illustrations are what really sold it to me, with their soft ethereal feel. A delightful book for sharing a fairy tale that some might not be familiar with." - Sharon Tyler, Cheshire Public Library, Sharon the Librarian blog"Wonderful story and gorgeous illustrations!" - As the Page Turns blog"An astounding recreation with a touch of modernity given to a classic Russian folklore, this book is absolutely breathtaking! Having read some lovely Russian myth-tales as a kid Im always on the hunt for some good new publications for my kids, but rarely find anything fresh.And this one is one of those; a simplified version without twists written in clear prose and rhyme. Its anime inspired and beautiful, soft pastel shaded illustrations may make you pause at every page turn. Kids will return to this-one again and again!!" - Picks and Reads for Kids blog

An Leysen is an art teacher in secondary school. Her experience with children has inspired her to start writing and illustrating her own books.

It is Christmas Eve and Clara and her brother Fritz are excited! Every year uncle Drosselmeier brings them special Christmas gifts. This year Clara gets a wooden soldier. It's a nutcracker and Fritz thinks he looks a bit silly, but Clara falls in love with his big, kind eyes. And that night she discovers her new friend can do a lot more than crack nuts. He used to be a brave soldier who fell in love with a real princess... In this magical picture book An Leysen gives the classic Christmas story by E.T.A. Hoffmann a new look. Her evocative art will transport you to the wonderful world of the mean mouse king and the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy. For children aged 5 and up, and for everyone who love fairy tales!

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