Books with title The Nutcracker

A young boy gradually comes to understand the difference between his toy soldiers and the bloodshed of the First World War in this poignant story. Ten-year-old Johnny loves the army of nutcracker soldiers his toymaker father whittles for him. Johnny eagerly plays at war, demolishing imaginary foes. But in 1914, war with Germany looms, and all too soon Johnny's father is swept up in the war to end all wars as he proudly enlists to fight at the front in France. Johnny believes his father will be back in a few months, in time to celebrate Christmas with him and his mum. But the war is nothing like any soldier or person at home expected. It is brutal and horrific. The letters that arrive from Johnny's dad reveal the ugly realities of combat -- and the soldiers he carves and encloses begin to bear its scars. Still, Johnny adds these soldiers to his armies of Huns, Tommies, and Frenchmen, engaging them in furious battle out in the muddy garden. His war games bind him to the father he longs to see again. But when these games seem to foretell his dad's real battles, Johnny thinks he possesses godlike powers over his wooden men. He fears he controls his father's fate, the lives of all the soldiers in no-man's-land, and the outcome of the war itself. In this haunting and poignant tale, Iain Lawrence explores the irrationality of war and its effect on lives that are all too fragile.

Adventure, fantasy, romance ... a world full of toys and sweets ... and, of course, Christmas—these are the hallmarks of this timeless story, brought theatrically to life by one of America's favorite illustrators. It is the unforgettable dream of a peculiar Christmas gift—a nutcracker that leads a young girl into a magical realm, where she boldly helps save a boy living under an evil curse. This elegant retelling combines E. T. A. Hoffman's original version with beloved elements of the ballet in a readable picture book format.Michael Hague, celebrated for his lavish interpretations of classics, now makes this tale accessible to a new generation. From the sweeping drama of the battle scene to the magnificent illusions of rich, draped fabrics, every detail will be cherished.

It's Christmas Eve and Marie has found a funny looking nutcracker under the tree. Marie's godfather says this nutcracker once saved a beautiful princess from a horrible spell cast by the wicked Mouse Queen. But Nutcracker is in danger - the mouse King seeks revenge! Now Nutcracker must face off against the seven-headed King of Mice - and he needs arie's help to win the battle!

This pocket-size edition of The Nutcracker captures the magic of the original story with an array of enticing illustrations. In The Nutcracker, Michael Hague's show-stopping artwork brings the excitement of this festive holiday story to life. The timeless appeal of this classical Christmas tales in this visually stunning mini edition is a glorious tribute to the most magical night of the year.

Bedtime Classics: charmingly illustrated board book editions of perennial favorites, simplified for the youngest readers!Bedtime Classics introduce classic works of fiction to little literary scholars through character-driven narratives and colorful illustration. Designed to be the perfect one minute bedtime story (or five minutes--if you're begged to read it over and over) parents can feel good about exposing their children to some of the most iconic pieces of literature, while building their child's bookshelf with these trendy editions!On Christmas Eve, Clara is given a special gift from her Godfather--a beautiful nutcracker doll. But when Clara awakes in the middle of the night, she finds her beloved nutcracker has transformed into a handsome prince, and together, they set off for the Land of Sweets.