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THE NUTCRACKER

Name: THE NUTCRACKER
Author: Grace Maccarone
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0281-8

by Grace Maccarone ; illustrated by Célia Chauffrey ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 20, 2016

A disappointing effort that fails to capture the magic inherent in the ballet.

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This large-format retelling of the story from the popular holiday-season ballet focuses on the family party scene and the battle between the mice and the soldiers, with just a brief concluding visit to the Land of Sweets.

The story begins with a full page of text setting the scene for the party and the forthcoming conflict between Clara and her brother, “mischief-making Fritz.” The text in the rest of the book is set off in shorter text blocks on each page, at the top or bottom of full-page illustrations, sometimes obscuring part of the illustration in an intrusive way. The first 16 pages of the book focus on the party, with scenes of dancing, entertainment, and the children playing with their toys. The boys and girls in the party scenes look remarkably alike, almost all with dark hair and eyes, olive skin, and little variation in facial shape. This lack of differentiation among the child characters is also an issue with the boy who is freed from that Nutcracker enchantment, as he and Clara look like brother and sister. The illustration style is dark and surrealistic, with a shadowy, ominous atmosphere overall and a distinctly scary Godfather Drosselmeyer. The charms of the Land of Sweets are tasted only briefly in just one spread showing dancers from different countries.

A disappointing effort that fails to capture the magic inherent in the ballet. (bibliography) (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4998-0281-8

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Little Bee Books

Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BROTHER PUMPKIN HEAD
by Lucia Panzieri ; illustrated by Samantha Enria translated by Grace Maccarone

- BOOK REVIEW
THE LITTLE TREE THAT WOULD NOT SHARE
by Nicoletta Costa ; illustrated by Nicoletta Costa ; translated by Grace Maccarone

- BOOK REVIEW
BUTTERFLY'S SURPRISE
by Grace Maccarone ; illustrated by Valentina Belloni

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PLAYING WITH LANTERNS

by Wang Yage ; illustrated by Zhu Chengliang ; translated by Helen Wang ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 7, 2021

A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season.

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A colorful wintry tale ushers in Chinese New Year over two weeks.

In this picture book, the narrator recounts with nostalgia an observance of the traditional New Year in rural northern China. The snow-covered village bustles with activity as folks venture out to greet relatives and friends. “On the third day, uncles started giving LANTERNS” refers to an old custom in provincial Shaanxi—especially among maternal uncles. Palpable and immediate are Zhao Di’s eager anticipation and the care with which she “walk[s] through the snow with her lantern in case she slipped or the candle blew out in the wind.” Simple yet vivid close-ups depict Zhao Di and her friends, bundled head to toe and comparing lantern designs—accordion, watermelon, etc.—while braving the cold and a bunch of rowdy boys. All too soon, the 15th day arrives, signaling the end of the New Year celebrations. In a pivotal spread that shows Zhao Di sitting with her dog and chickens, readers are granted an interior view of the architecture and layout of a rustic farmhouse. In addition, the villagers’ various clothing styles, headdresses, and skin tones suggest the region’s diverse ethnicities and socio-economic landscapes. As the story concludes with the obligatory smashing and burning of the lanterns, Zhao Di comforts herself with the hopeful thought of lighting new lanterns next year.

A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Dec. 7, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-5420-2984-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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HOW TO CATCH A LOVEOSAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 6, 2022

Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses.

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An elusive new quarry leads the How To Catch… kids on a merry chase through a natural history museum.

Taking at least a step away from the “hunters versus prey” vibe of previous entries in the popular series, the racially diverse group of young visitors dashes through various museum halls in pursuit of the eponymous dino—whose quest to “spread kindness and joy ’round the world” takes the form of a mildly tumultuous museum tour. In most of Elkerton’s overly sweet, color-saturated scenes, only portions of the Loveosaurus, who is purple and covered with pink hearts, are visible behind exhibits or lumbering off the page. But the children find small enticements left behind, from craft supplies to make cards for endangered species to pictures of smiley faces, candy heart–style personal notes (“You Rock!” “Give Hugs”), and, in the hall of medieval arms and armor, a sign urging them to “Be Honest Be Kind.” The somewhat heavy-handed lesson comes through loud and clear. “There’s a message, he wants us to think,” hints Walstead to clue in more obtuse readers…and concluding scenes of smiling people young and otherwise exchanging hugs and knuckle bumps, holding doors for a wheelchair rider, and dancing through clouds of sparkles indicate that they, at least, have gotten it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses. (Picture book. 5-7)