The Nutcracker Mice

Gr 3–5—A warm and fuzzy seasonal tale. It's 1892 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In the famed Mariinsky Theater, the ballet practices for their newest program, The Nutcracker, while the secret Russian Mice Ballet Company is training for their very own performance below the stage. Esmerelda is a young adult mouse who wants nothing more than to be Clara in their performance, but she can't seem to get her tail in proper ballet position. When food shortages, audience skepticism, and a prima ballerina's broken foot threaten to ruin the show, Esmerelda saves the day. This is a well-written, steadily paced book that begs to be read by candlelight during the first snows of winter. Readers familiar with the classic ballet will hear the music as they read, and dance enthusiasts will appreciate the jargon, though prior knowledge of either one is not necessary. There is even a light romance between Esmerelda and a Maksim, a mouse from outside the Mariinsky who helps Esmerelda find her strength and courage. Helquist's jubilant illustrations greatly enhance the book's appeal. The human cast is homogenous, though the mice are described with differences in appearance and nationality.