Publishers Weekly
Discerning use of full-page spreads and decorative border art allays Maysen's substantial text in this glowing interpretation. De Marcken's detail-rich watercolors are marked by a vibrant palette (the Nutcracker wears purple and gold, Marie a pink sash-tied dress), while the attention paid to the mechanisms of toys and to dolls' facial expressions (Marie takes the form of a doll) further emphasizes the fantastical nature of the story. This is a loyal and energetic version, best for read-aloud in multiple sittings, given the length of the text. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
School Library Journal
K-Gr 4–This lavishly illustrated book features sweeping, theatrical watercolor spreads and elaborate borders that help to draw connections between the real-life action, Marie’s dream, and the ballet itself. A brief introduction gives the background of the story’s publication and its connection to the Tchaikovsky ballet. In comparison to the polished and stylish Nutcracker retold by John Cech (HarperBlessings, 2009), this lengthy version features more dialogue–occasionally stilted–and busier, larger illustrations.–Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, CA
Kirkus Reviews
Hoffman's original 1816 story serves as the text for this version, and readers familiar with the tale through the ballet will find some aspects of the plot are different. DeMarcken's detailed illustrations fill the large-format pages with a charming Nutcracker in a purple uniform, as well as a huge cast of characters from the various fantasy locations visited by Marie and her friend. Illustration placement is varied throughout, with images of different sizes interspersed on each spread, often serving as borders; this clever design keeps the lengthy text from appearing overwhelming. Though the pictures are lovely to look at, this version is really too long for most children and thus will be appropriate only for large collections needing an illustrated edition of the original story. (foreword) (Picture book. 6-9)
From the Publisher
"Lewis Carroll, we could say, created the whole of children's literature with these wonderful stories. Placing a child at the centre of a narrative that was entirely free of instruction, entirely devoted to delight, was a stroke of genius. The Alices are the greatest nonsense ever written, and far greater, in my view, than most sense."—Philip Pullman, author, His Dark Materials trilogy, on Alice Through the Looking-Glass
