The Magic Nutcracker

This classic Christmas story is modified by the author for the beginning reader to enjoy. A beautiful little girl is given a Nutcracker as a present and she lovingly sets him on a shelf along with her other favourite toys to keep him safe from harm. During the night she hears a commotion and discovers her valiant Nutcracker is being attacked by a band of evil Mice. She defends him with her slipper and magically he turns into a real live prince.

He swoops her off in his flying sled and together they visit a wonderland where the Snow King and Queen, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and waltzing flowers reside. They dance together, sample endless festive foods and have a joyous time. He escorts her safely back to her bed and bids her adieu but before she falls asleep she gathers up her coveted wooden Nutcracker-Prince and hugs him tightly to herself as she drifts off to sleep once again.

This timeless tale will certainly be a lovely Christmas read for your child. The illustrations are vintage and wrap the words up in fairytale hues. The colour pallet is masterful. I am positive that this book will be one that you will love to add to your Christmas stories collection.

This book is a simplified retelling of the story of The Nutcracker. As with all books in this series it uses simple text (only 66 words) that are repetitive in the book itself as well as the series (Beginning to Read). It tells the story of a young girl who gets a nutcracker for a gift. After she wakes up to get him, she realizes that he is being attacked by a mouse, and saves his life by throwing her shoe at him. After she saves him, she is taken on a magical adventure with delicious treats to eat and beautiful things to see.

This book should make young readers feel positive about their reading skills. The illustrations, which are colourful and well drawn, also help to decode the text for young children. This would be a great book for young readers who have seen this ballet or are familiar with the story. As with other books in this series, there are several activities and suggestions that parents can use with their children to reinforce their reading skills. A good book to have in a primary classroom or a family library where the children are just learning to read.

This is a great, easy version of a story that the kids will probably come across every year. For young kids, this would be a good way to introduce the ballet. Even if they don’t have the opportunity to see the ballet, this is a Margaret Hillert book. There’s no way it won’t be checked out year round.