The Nutcracker And The Mouse King

by E. T. A. Hoffmann

Overview

On Christmas Eve, Marie finds a Nutcracker doll among the family’s gifts and is charged by her parents to take special care of it. Under the cover of darkness, the Nutcracker comes to life, along with an evil Mouse King with seven heads, introducing Marie to the magical world of toys, and the brave Nutcracker who will change her life forever.

E. T. A. Hoffman’s timeless and whimsical tale has become a Christmas classic since it was first published in 1816. It has been adapted numerous times, most notably for the ballet scored by Pyotr Ilyich Tchikovsky in 1892. Though the ballet was not immediately a success, it has become immensely popular since the late 1960s and is performed every year during the holidays by ballet companies around the world.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781443431941
Publisher:	HarperCollins Canada
Publication date:	10/22/2013
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	50
File size:	303 KB
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

E. T. A. Hoffmann (Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann) was a German author and composer best known for his short story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King", which was adapted into the famous ballet The Nutcracker. Educated as a lawyer, Hoffmann served as a Prussian law officer of the Polish provinces, until 1806 when he transitioned into a career as a music conductor, critic, and director. Hoffmann’s breakthrough as an author came with the publication of Ritter Gluck in 1806. He then composed the opera Undine, which opened in 1814, and shortly thereafter authored the short-story collection Fantasy Pieces in Callot’s Manner. Hoffmann went on to write two novels and more than fifty short stories. E.T.A. Hoffmann died in 1822 at the age of 46, but is remembered as one of the foremost authors of the Romantic Movement and for his artistic influence during the nineteenth century.

Editorial Reviews

Discerning use of full-page spreads and decorative border art allays Maysen's substantial text in this glowing interpretation. De Marcken's detail-rich watercolors are marked by a vibrant palette (the Nutcracker wears purple and gold, Marie a pink sash-tied dress), while the attention paid to the mechanisms of toys and to dolls' facial expressions (Marie takes the form of a doll) further emphasizes the fantastical nature of the story. This is a loyal and energetic version, best for read-aloud in multiple sittings, given the length of the text. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 4–This lavishly illustrated book features sweeping, theatrical watercolor spreads and elaborate borders that help to draw connections between the real-life action, Marie’s dream, and the ballet itself. A brief introduction gives the background of the story’s publication and its connection to the Tchaikovsky ballet. In comparison to the polished and stylish Nutcracker retold by John Cech (HarperBlessings, 2009), this lengthy version features more dialogue–occasionally stilted–and busier, larger illustrations.–Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, CA

School Library Journal

Hoffman's original 1816 story serves as the text for this version, and readers familiar with the tale through the ballet will find some aspects of the plot are different. DeMarcken's detailed illustrations fill the large-format pages with a charming Nutcracker in a purple uniform, as well as a huge cast of characters from the various fantasy locations visited by Marie and her friend. Illustration placement is varied throughout, with images of different sizes interspersed on each spread, often serving as borders; this clever design keeps the lengthy text from appearing overwhelming. Though the pictures are lovely to look at, this version is really too long for most children and thus will be appropriate only for large collections needing an illustrated edition of the original story. (foreword) (Picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews