Description
Follow Clara on a magical Christmas adventure in this musical retelling ofThe Nutcrackerballet push the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Tchaikovskys original score.
Overview
It is Christmas Eve at Claras house. Scents of ginger, chocolateand peppermint waft through the air. Claras parents are having a party, and her little brother Fritz is decorating the Christmas tree. Claras godfather, a toymaker, arrives with gifts, including a very special one for her a wooden nutcracker carved in the shape of a little man. After Fritz breaks it, the children are sent to bed.
The story follows Clara in her dreams as she battles and defeats a mouse king, then travels with her nutcracker-turned-prince to the Land of Sweets where she watches its enchanting inhabitants perform beautiful dances. As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes, you willpress the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from the ballets music, including ‘The Waltz of the Flowers’, ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’, ‘The Russian Dance’,and the awesome ‘Finale’.
At the back of the book, find a shortbiography of the composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with details about his composition ofThe Nutcrackerballet. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read adiscussion of the instruments, rhythms and musical techniquesthat make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms.
Manufacturers note:please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.
The perfect primer to introduce children to classical music.
About the Illustrator:
Jessica Courtney-Tickleis an illustrator who graduated from Kingston University in July 2014. Her absolute favorite 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 theaterfrom 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.
Size:26.5 x30.4 cm
Format: Hardcover 24 Pages
Reading Age:6 -9 years
