(2) K-3 Brett (whose many other Christmas titles include The Twelve Days of Christmas; Home for Christmas, rev. 11/11; and The Animals' Santa, rev. 11/14) pulls out all the stops for this lush and faithful retelling of ­Hoffmann's tale and Tchaikovsky's ­ballet, guiding readers through the story with clear visual references to the latter's music and the dances. Detailed watercolors on double-page spreads carry the plot, while narrative-filled borders show pertinent musical instruments and scraps of the score. Brett sets the story in a Russia filled with snowy exteriors and sumptuous scenes of the ballet's ­Christmas party, the dramatic ­vanquishing of the Mouse King, and the rest of Marie's magical adventures with the Nutcracker-turned-real-boy.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(4) K-3 Adapted by Kate Davies. A simplified adaptation of Hoffman's traditional Christmas Eve tale relates the magical story of Clara and her nutcracker prince. The main feature here is a pop-up spread of the Sugar Plum Fairy's ball. Unfortunately, this version compresses the text into six pages. The crisp black silhouette illustrations with colorful background embellishments are pretty, if somewhat static.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) K-3 Based on the New York City Ballet production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker®. This picture book places ballet front and center. Dancers portraying ethereal snowflakes and delicious treats from other lands, along with the Sugarplum Fairy, welcome Marie and her Nutcracker Prince for a night of celebration in the Land of Sweets. Dramatic illustrations in a sugary palette underscore the story's magic and the beauty of the ballet.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Célia Chauffrey. This accessible retelling of E. T. A. Hoffmann's story emphasizes Clara's emotional experience of this magical night and the qualities that make her deserving of it. Textured jewel-toned illustrations are festive and welcoming. Both text and art attempt to correct the tale's frequently stereotypical portrayals of visitors to the Land of Sweets from "faraway lands"--with varying success. Bib.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Watts. Stefan Drosselmeyer, a clockmaker's apprentice, builds clockwork jaws to crack the special nut needed to restore the princess of Boldavia after an enchanted rat bite. When the rat bites him, Stefan must take part in the ensuing rat/human war as an enchanted nutcracker. Smith's energetic tale takes off in unexpected directions within the framework of its inspiration, The Nutcracker.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Puybaret. This clear and lively adaptation of Hoffman's classic includes some lesser-known details, provided by Herr Drosselmeier, about the Nutcracker's trials as a young man. The rich colors, smooth shapes, and subtle textures of Puybaret's acrylic on linen illustrations will draw readers into the magical sequence of events. An enchanting gift book for an older picture book audience.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Gail de Marcken. This retelling incorporates details from E. T. A. Hoffmann's original collection of stories later adapted into the ballet version with which most readers are familiar. The volume, with its large trim size, is sumptuous in illustration style; de Marcken's watercolor and ink paintings dominate most spreads. The pictures are so detailed it can be hard to know where to look.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Peter Malone. In this retelling of the New York City Ballet version of E. T. A. Hoffmann's story, Malone's richly colored, opaque watercolors embellish the dancers' magic. This book, which comes with a CD, provides a good entry-point before attending a performance as well as a chance to relive the experience afterward.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008

(4) K-3 This retelling of Hoffmann's Christmas classic features a brief, direct text and elaborate paper-engineering. Although the writing is uninspired, the book will help young children become familiar with the story, perhaps before or after seeing the ballet performance. The illustrations sparkle and twinkle appropriately.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth