Lovely to look at and delightful to read, this is a lively, exceptionally engaging way to introduce children to one of the best loved ballets: each page features a button that when pressed plays an excerpt of Tchaikovsky’s music. The story is told over busy double page illustrations, the scenes varied and each full of detail and atmosphere. A glossary at the back explains dance and musical terms and there are short biographical notes on Tchaikovsky as well as notes on the different pieces of music the children have heard, for example, how the celesta used in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy makes the piece sound so sparkly and magical. A real Christmas treat.
Follow Clara on a magical adventure in this retelling of the classic ballet story. Watch the nutcracker battle the mouse king, meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and journey to the Land of Sweets, where wonder and excitement await... Press the note on every page to hear the story come to life with music from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, then listen to all the sounds again at the back of the book!
JESSICA COURTNEY-TICKLE is an illustrator who graduated from Kingston University in July 2014. Her absolute favourite thing to draw or paint is nature, finding a focus on foliage of any kind as well as children's stories about adventure and exploration. She also has a penchant for drawing theatre from music makers to dancers and even singing animals. Jessica is most influenced by vintage picture books, travel posters and folk art as well as numerous painters and printmakers.
