The Nutcracker is as much a part of Christmas as carols, mince pies and Santa Claus, and this is a truly beautiful version of the much-loved story. Niroot Puttapipat places striking silhouettes in black and white, with highlights of gold, red and yellow, against richly coloured background scenes and each page – giant mice tumbling down the staircase, Clara and the prince flying on swans over gold-flecked oceans - is a piece of drama. The story concludes with a breath-taking pop-up scene. ~ Andrea Reece
It's Christmas eve and Marie and her family are enjoying the seasonal festivities. Drosselmeyer, the clockmaker and inventor, presents them with a nutcracker which Marie becomes very taken with. At the stroke of twelve that night the nutcracker comes alive before Marie's very eyes, and so begins the most wonderful adventure... Join Marie and her dear nutcracker on a journey through the mystical land of the Mouse King and Princess Pirlipat, with themes of magic, love, betrayal and redemption, beautifully captured by Robet Ingpen's exquisite illustrations.