FICTION

The Nutcracker & the Mouse King

by Renate RAECKE
, retel. tr. from German by Anthea Bell. illus. by Yana Sedova. 36p. Minedition. Oct. 2016. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9789888341276.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3—This picture book retelling of the original Hoffmann tale, which was written 200 years ago, is illustrated with rich, painterly precision and dreamlike details that echo the story's shifts from reality to fantasy. Gears and clockwork elements appear throughout, and the seven-headed Mouse King is particularly realistic, down to the whiskers. The storytelling is straightforward, and neither the battle scene nor the foray to Candytown is very long or graphic.
VERDICT A gorgeously made edition for collectors and literature experts.
Reviewed by Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies
On Christmas Eve, young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince journey to "Candytown" in a dream--or was it? Simple but vivid language retells the classic tale. Sedova's stylized, jewel-toned illustrations are rich with texture and detail, including clockwork (in homage to Drosselmeier's toy-making) and Christmas tree–ornament motifs throughout. An afterword gives some background on Hoffmann's story and its many adaptations.
 , Oct 01, 2016

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow
by Allen, Kari
BOOKS

Welcome to the Woofmore
by Gephart, Donna & Lori Haskins Houran
BOOKS

Eleven Houses
by Oakes, Colleen
BOOKS

Don’t Let the Forest In
by Drews, CG
BOOKS

Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Reynolds, Hannah
BOOKS

A Vile Season
by Ferraro, David
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?