THE NUTCRACKER DOLL

Kepley is a redheaded little girl who loves ballet. DePalma’s story follows Kepley as she studies ballet in her classes and auditions for a professional production of The Nutcracker. Kepley is chosen to play the part of a doll who stands under the Christmas tree in the ballet before being carried offstage by a mouse soldier. She attends rehearsals, receives her costume and then participates in her first performance on the professional stage. DePalma’s short, easy-to-understand text unfolds in a clear, linear fashion, making many of the various aspects of a ballet production understandable. (The story was written with the input of DePalma’s daughter, Kepley, who danced in eight productions of Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker.) Simple but appealing watercolor illustrations show little girls of different ethnicities in class or rehearsals with their hair up in proper ballet buns and dressed in the correct attire for young students. Other illustrations bring the ballet world to life in the costume shop, dressing room and backstage in the wings. Little girls who are studying ballet or getting ready to attend the show will enjoy reading about Kepley’s successful performance. (Picture book. 4-8)