The Nutcracker: A Magic Theater Book

Open this scrumptious holiday edition of The Nutcracker and magically recreate the motion, color, and delight of the classic ballet. Paper engineering wizardry allows characters to dance into life simply by turning the pages-with no tabs for the reader to pull (or break). From the twirling Sugar Plum Fairy and the evil Mouse King to the little girl Marie and her Nutcracker Prince, the cast of beloved characters creates a wondrous "theater" effect as each steps out of intricately die-cut panels. From the first dancing snowflake, beloved author Geraldine McCaughrean's retelling sparkles with enchantment and drama, her words exquisitely matched by Kristina Swarner's luminous, jewel-toned illustrations.

Geraldine McCaughrean has written more than 160 well-loved books and has received countless awards, including the ALA's Michael L Printz Award and the Carnegie Medal. She lives in Berkshire, United Kingdom.

Kristina Swarner creates her exquisitely rendered illustrations by working in a mixture of linoleum print, watercolor, and colored pencil. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.