FICTION

Tallulah's Nutcracker

by Marilyn SINGER
illus. by Alexandra Boiger. 48p. Clarion. Oct. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-84557-9. LC 2012034744.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2—In this fourth picture book about ballet-crazy Tallulah, the child is chosen to be a mouse in a professional production of The Nutcracker. Thrilled, she throws herself into rehearsals, determined to be the best mouse on stage. Opening night brings an embarrassing onstage mishap, and Tallulah is devastated until the dance master and the older girls who danced Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy tell her of their own past missteps, and Tallulah's enthusiasm is renewed. With expressive, insouciant watercolor illustrations, ballet terms like "sissone" sprinkled sparingly throughout the text, and the obligatory glitter-heavy jacket art, this is a charming holiday choice.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Dancing in The Nutcracker is not what Tallulah expected: rehearsals are tiring (and a bit boring); she misses out on pre-Christmas activities; and her mouse costume is not at all “elegant.” Worst of all, on the big night, a stage fright–stricken Tallulah inadvertently causes a pile-up of mice and toy soldiers. Backstage, her teacher, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Clara regale her with their own performance mistakes and remind her of what being a dancer is all about. Gentle text and warm watercolor and gouache (mixed with egg yolk) illustrations together offer an un-sugar-coated, but humorous, portrayal of life in the theater for young dancers—and an encouraging example for any reader. katie bircher
Reviewed by Eva Mitnick , Oct 01, 2013

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