From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8–After illustrating The Nutcracker and the Mouse-King (Picture Book Studio, 1983; o.p.), Zwerger has taken on the challenge of creating a completely different set of images almost a quarter century later. She has succeeded admirably. This version features somewhat surreal, almost theatrically presented tableaux, delicately and darkly rendered in pen and ink and watercolor. Readers are far removed from the action–sometimes back in the nosebleed section, as opposed to the earlier edition, in which readers were right in the middle of everything. The 2004 Marie is a china doll of a girl, unlike the more realistically presented character of the past. This would be a hard version to share with a group, though Koppe's retelling is more accessible and detailed than the earlier title. This Nutcracker dramatically illustrates the growth and evolution of an important illustrator.–M. A. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Reviewed with Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.Gr. 3-5. Artist Zwerger expands her repertoire of beguilingly illustrated tales by two, both of which contain surprises for readers primarily familiar with popular film or stage versions. Mermaid reinstates the tragic ending and spiritual-mystical components abandoned by Disney; nutcracker, though condensed by adaptor Susanne Koppe, preserves the Mouse King's seven heads and devotes a good chunk of the narrative (as in Hoffman's original) to the story-within-a-story starring Princess Pirlipat. The hypnotic, even slightly chilly, sensibility that pervades Zwerger's work seems a more logical accompaniment to the poignant Mermaid than to nutcracker, whose spirited fantasy seems somehow dampened by the artist's penchant for quiet, dimly lit scenes and slightly arcane imagery. Zwerger first illustrated The Nutcracker and the Mouse King in 1979, but has created entirely new paintings this time around, which will compete for balletomanes' attention with Sendak's lengthier, more rambunctious 1981 treatment. These renditions of cherished stories will prove useful in the coming months, as the 200th anniversary of Andersen's birth approaches and as ballet companies commence their annual march to the Kingdom of Sweets. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
For nearly two hundred years, E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale of the Nutcracker has enchanted readers, inspired artists and composers, and delighted audiences around the world. In cities and towns everywhere, children thrill to annual performances of Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet about a girl named Marie who helps a wooden nutcracker defeat an evil army of mice, and is rewarded by a visit to the magical dream world, the Land of Toys. Lisbeth Zwerger's stunning, all-new interpretation on The Nutcracker, adapted from the original Hoffmann tale, rounds out the story depicted in the ballet, exploring the background of the feud between the Nutcracker and the seven-headed Mouse King, the true role of the mysterious Drosselmeier, the tragic fate of Princess Pirlipat, the spell cast by Mistress Mousie that is finally broken by loyal Marie, and the satisfying, happily-ever-after conclusion to the great battle and fantastic journey. In pictures filled with wit and whimsy, drama, mystery, and magic, Lisbeth Zwerger transports us to the darkest reaches and brightest beauty of this fairy-tale world.


About the Author
Lisbeth Zwerger is a native of Vienna, Austria who has been accorded nearly every prize that can be given to an illustrator, including the highest achievement, the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. Among her books published by North-South are The Nightingale, Little Red Cap, The Wizard of Oz, and Noah's Ark, all of them named New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year. Noah's Ark was also named an ALA Notable Book, a Newsweek Book of the Year, and a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book.

FROM OUR EDITORS

After all the presents are opened on Christmas Eve, young Marie Stahlbaum finds one more -- the enchanted Nutcracker. Readers of all ages will be charmed by the stories-within-stories in this adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann's classic tale - -stories as intricate as the toys constructed by Godfather Drosselmeir for young Marie. Award-winning illustrator Robert Innocenti's beautifully detailed drawings bring to life such scenes as the attack of the mouse army and Marie's journey through Candy Meadow and Christmas Forest. A beloved classic to treasure. 10" x 12". Ages 6 and up .

ANNOTATION

In this retelling of the original 1816 German story, Godfather Drosselmeier gives young Marie a nutcracker for Christmas, and she finds herself in a magical realm where she saves a boy from an evil curse.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

On Christmas Eve, Marie Stahlbaum huddles in the dark with her brother, Fritz, waiting for the Christ Child to come. When their parents open the doors to the parlor, the scene that awaits them is mesmerizing: a Christmas tree aglow with candles and more toys than they could have imagined. Godfather Drosselmeir has made them a fine castle with dancing ladies and leaping men, a clever toy fox, and battalions of soldiers. But Marie falls in love when she finds the one last gift tucked under the tree - the Nutcracker. Readers of all ages will be enchanted by the stories-within-stories that are as intricate as the toys constructed by Godfather Drosselmeir for Fritz and Marie. Award-winning Roberto Innocenti's detailed illustrations are equally rich and complex, from the attack of the mouse army to Marie's Journey through Candy Meadow, Christmas Forest, and Bonbonville. Never have the richness and pleasures of Christmas come so alive as in this new edition of Nutcracker - sure to become a treasured tradition shared between friends and family every holiday season.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Nutcracker, E.T.A. Hoffman's fantasy about a warring seven-headed Rat King and Nutcracker, toys come to life and mesmerizing lands made of candy, retains its bite in a new picture-book abridgement with illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger, retold by Susanne Koppe, trans. from the German by Anthea Bell. The gracefully composed watercolors in this new edition refrain from the frolic and whimsy she exhibited with the artwork for a 1979 edition of The Nutcracker, but possess dreamlike flair nonetheless. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Susan Hepler, Ph.D.

Susanne Koppe's shortened version of this 1812 story, translated by Anthea Bell, accompany Zwerger's second artistic treatment to make a new package worthy of the story and of the season. No sugary sweetness here, Zwerger's illustrations reflect the darker side of this romantic tale. They begin with the blues and browns of the nighttime setting, then the sepia tones of the embedded "Tale of the Hard Nut," finally lightening when Marie journeys to a make-believe land up a winding staircase that descends from father's overcoat sleeve. Zwerger is a master portrayer of the mysterious, making dramatic use of viewpoint, muted color, and spare backgrounds, against which the actions seem full of foreboding. This heightens the contrast when Marie finally arrives in the green forests studded with oranges and the Marzipan Castle. The Nutcracker soldier's battle with the Mouse King is dispensed with in a few words but the endpapers make up the difference with swirling legions of mice surrounding the valiant soldier. The Hoffman/Koppe/Bell text reads well even if unindented paragraphs and a less generous use of white space give it a crowded look. Since few dignified, or serious, versions of this story are available, this one takes on extra and well deserved weight and will satisfy older readers who wish to know more about the story and a bit less about the ballet. 2004 (orig. 2003), Michael Neugebauer/North-South Books, Ages 8 to 14.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

An abbreviated version of this holiday story is retold here in rebus form. Kids are invited to place the stickers in their proper places within the text. Even if the stickers are lost (2 sets are included), the story can still be read since there is a blue outline drawing of each object. Each page also contains a list of the words that are represented by the stickers.

Children's Literature - Childrens Literature

At Christmas time, the familiar music of Tchaikovsky from his ballet version of The Nutcracker fills the airwaves and theaters. This "Eyewitness Classic" presents the story accompanied by illustrations that depict scenes and reproductions of artifacts, people and places appropriate to the story and its setting. Introductory pages offer a glimpse of Christmas in Germany during the early 19th century and the types of toys children would play with, while the closing pages mention the ballet and reveal a bit about Hoffmann. There is plenty to look at and kids may enjoy looking at the pictures and reading the captions before launching into the story. The story itself is engaging and filled with action. It also has a positive message, although the happily ever after ending--Marie's marriage to the King who had been enchanted and turned into an ugly nutcracker--may not be as appealing to modern tastes. However, the bravery and kindness of Marie more than make up for the fairy tale ending. 1999, DK Publishing, Ages 8 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal