The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: The Graphic Novel

by E T A Hoffmann (Author) Natalie Andrewson (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Natalie Andrewson brings E.T.A. Hoffmann's surreal and fantastical story to life like never before in this vibrant graphic novel adaptation of the beloved Christmas classic, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

Of all the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve, only one captures Marie Stahlbaum's heart: a humble nutcracker. He's a curious little man, with kind eyes, sweet red cheeks, and a friendly appearance. And as midnight nears, he comes to life, revealing a fairy-tale world of magic and wonder, wicked princesses and fierce battles . . . and an ancient curse that can only be broken with the help of a true friend.

With the evil Mouse King looming and her dream world threatened, Marie will have to find the strength to stand up for her nutcracker--no matter what it takes.

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Kirkus

Unnerving and uncanny—just as it should be.

Publishers Weekly

Andrewson renders an immersive re-imagining of the classic Christmas tale in 14 chapters. In Germany, Marie and Fritz Stahlbaum await Christmas Eve and their godfather Drosselmeier, a "mechanically minded" man who each year brings them handmade gifts. Discovering a nutcracker beneath the tree, Marie fervently guards it, first from battle-minded Fritz, then, in a series of nightmarish clashes, from a terrifying Mouse King who appears to Marie after midnight. Occasional captions guide readers through Marie's experiences over several nights, while a secondary fairy tale arc--of the human Princess Pirlipat and revenge-obsessed mouse Lady Mouserinks--adds context to Marie's story. In whimsical full-color art that employs thin lines and bright colors, Andrewson fills each page with measured revelations that mimic the ballet's drama--the Christmas tree's appearance, the clock striking midnight, the arrival of the mice and the many-headed Mouse King--while centering Marie's bravery and grit. A captivating, otherworldly adaptation for old fans and new. Ages 6-10. (Sept.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"[Andrewson's] distinctive illustration style is well matched to Hoffmann's story, with vivid colors, wavy linework, and exaggerated facial expressions that all reinforce the trippy, unsettling plot." —Kirkus

"In whimsical full-color art that employs thin lines and bright colors, Andrewson fills each page with measured revelations that mimic the ballet's drama...while centering Marie's bravery and grit. A captivating, otherworldly adaptation for old fans and new." —Publisher's Weekly

E T A Hoffmann
Natalie Andrewson is an illustrator, comic artist and printmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina, currently residing in Los Angeles, California. She's worked all across the creative spectrum for clients like The New York Times, NPR, Simon & Schuster, Disney and Dreamworks. She loves to draw dream-like adventures with vibrant colors and energetic lines and in her spare time she enjoys making fantasy-inspired Risograph prints and comics. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, published by First Second, is her debut graphic novel.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781596436817
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
First Second
Publication date
September 08, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV012040 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Adaptations
JUV017010 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Christmas & Advent
Library of Congress categories
Toys
Graphic novels
Christmas stories
Cartoons and comics
Comics (Graphic works)
Christmas
Comics adaptations
Nutcrackers (Implements)

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