Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake) | EASY HOF | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Oakdale Library | EASY HOF | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | EASY HOF | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | EASY HOF | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | EASY HOF | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Stillwater Public Library | EASY HOF | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
The New York City Ballet presents a classic ballet tale for a modern ballet lover with George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, a holiday favorite.
The New York City Ballet is known for showcasing classic stories of the ballet with their trademark stylish and modern sensibility. For the first time, this beloved holiday story is told based on George Balanchine's quintessential production. The storyline of this gorgeous picture book mimics the choreography of the famous ballet and the illustrations are inspired by the backdrops and scenery from the actual production.
The New York City Ballet's production of the Nutcracker is considered to be "the" leading production in the world. A holiday tradition for many families, now readers who can't travel to New York will be able to experience this colorful celebratory story. A must-have for every aspiring ballerina's library and a holiday tradition for every family's bookshelf.
Author Notes
New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of spectacular dancers and an unparalleled repertory. The company was founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirsten and it quickly became world known for its athletic and contemporary style. In 1964 New York City Ballet moved to its current home in Lincoln Center where it performs twenty-one weeks of each year. Widely acknowledged for its enduring contributions to dance, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.
Valeria Docampo taught art and graphic design before dedicating herself to illustrating full-time. She resides in Lyon, France.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Docampo's illustrations and the text are based on George Balanchine's staging of the Tchaikovsky work by the New York City Ballet. This is an approachable version of the story that will especially appeal to children who have seen the performance in person or on television. The stylized paintings have a whimsical, dramatic feel, full of sweeping curves and exaggerated features. The rich palette and shadowy lighting firmly plant the action on a stage. VERDICT A good option for families heading to the ballet during the holiday season.-Virginia Walter, UCLA School of Education and Information Studies © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Based on the New York City Ballet's production of Balanchine's version of The Nutcracker, this retelling springs to vibrant life in Docampo's elegant, enchanting illustrations; her delicately curving lines, exaggerated shapes, and surreal palette are ideally suited to a story of glamorous holiday parties, fierce battles, and a magical journey to the Land of Sweets. An approachable retelling moves readers swiftly through the events of the story, always emphasizing the magic of the evening at hand ("With a rumble and a shake, the tree began to grow before her eyes.... Marie had never seen anything so big"). Given this story's connection to the ballet, plenty of time is spent in the Land of Sweets, where Docampo showcases peppermint-striped acrobats leaping with hoops, marzipan flautists en pointe, and other confectionary wonders to spark children's imaginations. Ages 4-8. Illustrator's agent: Mela Bolinao, MB Artists. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Given that its basis is choreographer Balanchines famous adaptation of The Nutcracker, this picture book appropriately places ballet front and center. Dancers portraying ethereal snowflakes and those representing delicious treats from other lands (including spicy Spanish hot chocolate and mysterious Arabian coffee, the latter shown problematically, if not atypically, as a pale-skinned, blonde dancer), along with the virtuosic Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier, welcome Marie and her Nutcracker prince for a night of celebration in the Land of Sweets. Docampos dramatic illustrationsin a sugar-sweet palette and stylized with ballet-attenuated linesunderscore the magic of the story and the beauty of the ballet. A spread of Fun Facts about The Nutcracker in general and Balanchines production in particular is appended. katie bircher (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
This introduction to the ballet closely follows the production of the New York City Ballet, as originated by George Balanchine. Protagonist Marie is introduced on the cover as a blonde, white sylph dancing with her nutcracker toy. All the standard elements of the story are introduced in order, including the transformation of the Christmas tree, cleverly illustrated by shifting the page orientation by 90 degrees to accommodate its sudden growth. Marie and the Prince travel through the Land of Sweets, where they meet the characters from the ballet, such as the Sugarplum Fairy and Mother Ginger, before returning home in their magical sleigh drawn by reindeer. This interpretation has the advantage of a text that is not too long or complicated for young children. The captivating illustrations have an art nouveau look, with swirling skirts, trailing ribbons, and flowing hair styles. A concerning aspect of the style is the noticeable thinness of the female dancers, especially Marie and the other little girls at the party. Stick-thin arms and legs for little girls do not reflect reality and reinforce problematic body-image ideals. The main characters in the story are all white, while some of the party guests and dancers are from other ethnic groups. Two final pages include additional facts and the history of the New York City Ballet production. An appealing production overall and a helpful introduction for children preparing to see the ballet, but its one that needs some real little girls as artist's models. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
