This is the story that inspired the legendary ballet, presented in a beautiful hardcover edition perfect for giving as a gift. Written in 1816 by the German Romantic E. T. A. Hoffmann for his children, nephews & nieces, The Nutcracker captures better than any other story a child`s wonder at Christmas. Since its publication, it has inspired hundreds of artists & adaptations, most notably the legendary ballet, scored by Russian composer Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Today, the story
- & its enchanting images of sugar plums & nutcrackers, mistletoe & the Kingdom of the Dolls
- continues to cast its fantastical spell on readers of all ages. E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822) was one of the major figures of European Romanticism, specializing in tales of the fantastical & uncanny. He was also a music critic, jurist, composer & caricaturist. His Tales of Hoffmann, available in Penguin Classics,

Includes:: such masterpieces as ` Mademoiselle de Scudery`, one of the earliest example of crime fiction, & Hoffmann`s terrifying version of ` The Sandman`. Joachim Neugroschel won three PEN translation awards & the French-American Foundation Translation Prize. He translated Thomas Mann`s Death in Venice & Sacher-Masoch`s Venus in Furs, among other works, for Penguin Classics.



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The magic of Tchaikovsky`s ballet The Nutcracker comes to life in this theatrical pop-up book created by papercut artist Shobhna Patel, whose delicate laser-cut pop-ups will enchant readers young & old. Patel has invented a new paper-engineering technique called the ”paperscope, ” which is used for the first time in this charming book. The classic story begins on Christmas Eve when a little girl named Clara & her brother Fritz are gathered around the Christmas tree to celebrate with family & friends. Their mysterious uncle, Drosselmeyer the toy maker, gives Clara a beautiful wooden nutcracker who magically comes to life when the clock strikes midnight. So begins an enchanting adventure featuring all of Tchaikovsky`s original characters: the soldier mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy, & of course a handsome prince. The Nutcracker is made all the more extraordinary by Patel`s intricate laser-cut illustrations. The book features four pop-up paperscopes that spring to life when the reader presses each paperscope down with their hand to reveal the scene hidden within. The effect is one of a magical series of stage sets, recalling the story`s origins as a ballet. ...

A beautiful telling of the Nutcracker fairy tale, with exciting activities, colouring pages & a gorgeous eight-card 3D colouring scene to decorate, assemble & display
- all in one book! Join Clara as she brings the Nutcracker to life, battles the Mouse King & journeys to the land of the sweets! With activities on every page, this charming series brings new life to the beloved classic story with an exquisite 3D tableau scene that little girls will love to colour & make. Decorate dresses, journey through mazes & design necklaces to help Clara save Christmas. The perfect gift for girls who love magic & ballet, this delicate & lovely colouring & activity book will enchant & delight again & again
- Beauty & the Beast is also available in this 3D Colouring & Activity series. Ideal for fans of Sticker Dolly Dressing & Usborne`s Doll`s House Sticker Book.

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A beautifully illustrated edition of the much-loved Christmas story with a spectacular pop-up finale, from Niroot Puttapipat, illustrator of The Night Before Christmas & Jingle Bells. The Nutcracker story is a much-loved part of Christmas celebrations around the world, & this beautiful edition captures the excitement of Christmas Eve & the magic of Marius Petipa`s classic ballet. Exquisitely illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat, this charming retelling follows Clara`s magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince & ends with a stunning pop-up of the Land of Sweets! The perfect book to share at Christmas. ...

A beautifully illustrated edition of the much-loved Christmas story with a spectacular pop-up finale, from Niroot Puttapipat, illustrator of The Night Before Christmas & Jingle Bells. The Nutcracker story is a much-loved part of Christmas celebrations around the world, & this beautiful edition captures the excitement of Christmas Eve & the magic of Marius Petipa`s classic ballet. Exquisitely illustrated, this charming retelling follows Clara`s magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince & ends with a stunning pop-up of the Land of Sweets! The perfect Christmas stocking filler. ...

Christmas Eve is the most magical night of the year, when the house is scented with wood smoke & spices, & there are secrets under every bed! Snow whispers down like feathers & every child waits, breathless, for the curtain to rise on Christmas Day.. . For one little girl, Christmas Eve is more magical than any before. When the clock strikes midnight, her new nutcracker doll comes to life & leads her through battle with the wicked Mouse King & his troops, all the way to the Kingdom of Sweets. From award-winning artist, Jane Ray, comes a beautiful contemporary gift edition of this best-loved Christmas ballet story. ...

This is a gorgeous picture book with a sound panel that plays tunes from the much-loved ballet. It is perfect for younger children, who will be enthralled by the magical story of the Nutcracker, which comes to life on Christmas Eve. It is beautifully illustrated by Anna Luraschi. NB: this is a smaller edition of the existing book with an additional sound. ...

When a boy is turned into an ugly nutcracker, Marie is his only key to freedom. He, in turn, holds the key to her heart. Marie longs for a friend who understands her, so when she gets a nutcracker for Christmas, she is immediately captivated by its sad eyes. Her empathy, passion & loyalty for the ugly toy lead to a series of strange dreams, ending with heartbreak when she wakes up to find the nutcracker gone. But waiting downstairs is the friend of her dreams... ...

It`s Christmas eve & Marie & her family are enjoying the seasonal festivities. Drosselmeyer, the clockmaker & inventor, presents them with a nutcracker which Marie becomes very taken with. At the stroke of twelve that night the nutcracker comes alive before Marie`s very eyes, & so begins the most wonderful adventure... Join Marie & her dear nutcracker on a journey through the mystical land of the Mouse King & Princess Pirlipat, with themes of magic, love, betrayal & redemption, beautifully captured by Robet Ingpen`s exquisite illustrations. ...

Hoffmann`s classic Christmas fairy tale, immortalised by Tchaikovsky`s ballet, is brought to life by the gorgeous contemporary artwork of Finnish illustrator, Sanna Annuka. On Christmas Eve, Fritz & Marie excitedly await the arrival of Godfather Drosselmeier & the marvellous gifts he brings for them every year. When Marie discovers a curious nutcracker doll among the presents, she suddenly finds herself caught up in an age-old battle before being transported to a magical world of sugar-frosted castles, chocolate kings, & true love. Sanna Annukka is familiar to many from her collaborations with Marimekko & her artwork for Keane`s album, Under the Iron Sea. The Nutcracker is her third book project. This cloth-bound edition combines the charm of Hoffmann`s original nineteenth-century tale with the freshness of Sanna Annuka`s gorgeous illustrations. ...