School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-5-This lovely adaptation is based on Hoffmann's classic story and includes a CD recording with selections from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The text includes the often-omitted "Story of the Hard Nut," which is not part of the ballet but does serve to further readers' understanding of the cause of the conflict, and of the courage and goodness displayed by Clara. Paschkis's artwork ranges from single page to vignettes bordered with Christmas decorations relating to the action on the adjacent text, to a final, lush, double-page spread. An antique-beige background is warmly complemented by a palette of yellows, oranges, and bluish greens. Even if you have the versions by Maurice Sendak (Crown, 1991) and Janet Schulman (HarperCollins, 1999), you'll want to make room for this one.-L. F. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Julie Paschkis's eclectic illustrations accompany this adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman's The Nutcracker, which includes some darker tales that never made it into the dance and a CD of Tchaikovsky's musical score, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
