Nutcracker

Classic story brought to life by Sendak’s (Where The Wild Things Are) creative & imaginative illustrations. This book was in our house growing up. It was worn out from so much enjoyment over the years. When I saw it listed it evoked so many happy memories, I decided I need a copy of my own! It was also offered at a fabulous price! Read it to kids and let them enjoy the pictures.

This book is based on the version Maurice Sendak designed for Seattle's Ballet company (there's a wonderful dvd of it to purchase online). I purchased the book when it first came out and read it to my children along. Unfortunately, I lent it to someone who didn't return it so I bought a second copy because it needed to be in our library. Of course, Mr Sendak's version is different from the usual sweet ballet but it's beautifully done and wonderful to read. I have recommended it it others several times.

Ralph Mannheim does a masterful job of translating ETA Hoffman's classic into a quirky, charming English prose. Maurice Sendak is the best illustrator for the job, since this is a weird and kind of creepy story (Hoffman mainly wrote old-fashioned horror, but his children's book was his greatest success). Makes just as little sense as the ballet, but the book is full of loads of wonderful details.

Love this book! It reminds me of the PNB nutcracker growing up. I love being able to share this with my child especially since they are now doing the George Balanchine's Nutcracker. We read both books and love them both.

We are taking our 8-year-old grandson to the Nutcracker ballet. This book is a wonderful way for a kid to be introduced to the story. Of course, Maurice Sendak drawings are quite special. Our grandson loves reading and handles books above his 3rd grade level. The book is suitable for most 5th graders.

This book is a keepsake to be enjoyed for many years.

It's a great story filled with battles and magic. But it's in a very old fashioned language style that will require translation for the kids and does not come trippingly to the tongue. I don't mind this: my husband does. Also, it's the story the ballet is based upon, but great artistic liberties were taken in translating the story for the stage. You can see the roots of the story, but it's drastically different. My little boys were very annoyed that the ballet didn't follow the story and kept whispering to me throughout the ballet about it. While it was a good conversation piece afterwards I think it hurt their enjoyment. Next year before we go see the Nutcracker I will read them one of the many books based on the ballet instead. ;-)

Beautifully illustrated and true to ETA Hoffman’s story interpretation. A dark tale, more Germanic in thought. There is a story within a story, but this is not the light hearted ballet.

Beautiful illustrations and design by Sendak; a book that adults can enjoy. It's not for toddlers as it's the original Hoffman tale and not a reproduction of the ballet for young children. A reading age of 10-11 would be best. This is not a picture book and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

We read this to our 5 year old at each bedtime before going to see he original Russian ballet. It really added to the experience and the illustrations made the book approachable. Language was sometimes beyond him, but we explained and pushed through. It really opened our eyes to chapter books. We all liked the intensity of the rat king in this version versus the candy land version.

Este libro es una obra de arte. Como todo lo que toca Maurice Sendak! Lo compré por la historia del cascanueces, pero por que estaba ilustrado por Maurice Sendak, que me apasiona. Y no me haha decepcionado! Una impresión de gran calidad, y las imágenes son preciosas! Una maravilla de arte qur acompaña un clásico como es el Cascanueces.

Stupendo. Sendak non delude mai, e questo è un esempio perfetto della sua raffinatezza.Le illustrazioni sono principalmente spot. Le doppie sono meravigliose e piene di magia.

No conocía esta obra del autor, creo que aún inédita en español, y es altamente recomendada. Toda su obra es recomendada en realidad, pero este formato de ilustraciones llenas de decoraciones son preciosas.