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.
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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.
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
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Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # S22A-03767
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Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # Y10L-01065
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Tra. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 3422060-75
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Tra. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 3422059-75
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Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00074549285
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Reno, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95. Seller Inventory # G0735817332I3N00
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Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95. Seller Inventory # G0735817332I3N00
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95. Seller Inventory # G0735817332I3N10
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Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95. Seller Inventory # G0735817332I3N00
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Lisbeth Zwerger (illustrator). May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95. Seller Inventory # G0735817332I4N00
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