The Nutcracker

Welcome to a world where magic really happens.

A gift-book to treasure for all fans of this wonderful old story and ballet.

It is Christmas Eve and Clara is overjoyed when Godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker in the shape of a wooden soldier. But it is at night that the magic really begins, when toys come alive, young girls become princesses and Clara's brave nutcracker becomes the prince of her dreams. This beautiful and lyrical re-telling of Hoffman's much-loved Nutcracker story, from which the famous ballet was created, is exquisitely and enchantingly illustrated, making it a book to treasure.

Berlie Doherty began writing for children in 1983, after teaching and working for schools radio. She has written more that 35 books for children, as well as for the thearte, radio and television, and won the Carnegie Medal twice: in 1987 for Granny Was a Buffer Girl and in 1992 for Dear Nobody. She has also won the Writer's Guild Children's Fiction Award for Daughter of the Sea. Her work is published all over the world, and many of her books have been televised. Ian Beck has been a freelance illustrator for over twenty years, including such notable artwork as the record cover for Elton John's Yellow Brick Road album. Ian turned to writing and illustrating children's books on the birth of his own first child.