The Nutcracker is a Christmas holiday tradition! Here are 15 of our favorite books featuring this enchanting ballet!
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The Nutcracker is a delightful Christmas ballet filled with magic, music and of course, dancing!
Every year, dancers around the globe delight in taking to the stage to dance in this beautiful ballet!
Whether you have a dancer in the house, are drawn to the gorgeous music or are looking to find out more about this magical ballet, there are plenty of books featuring The Nutcracker!
photo: travelandleisure.com
Last year Cenzia was dancing the part of Dewdrop in this fabulous Christmas ballet and that has added a whole new level of excitement to the holiday!
A bunch of our family members will be in the audience to cheer her on!
To help the youngest Nutcracker fan/family member prepare for the performance (Cenz's cousin, Sloane, was two years old at this writing!), we sent her the below Usborne Musical Book, The Nutcracker by Fiona Watt!
It was a big hit!
We even created a Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt printable for kids!
Take this fun printable Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt along to the ballet and use it when you watch the show or during the intermission.
Or, use it for a fun family night while watching or reading a book or movie version!
We've included Nutcracker books with press and play music buttons, stories of inspiration and nonfiction books as well. So there's something for every reader!
15 Books for Kids Featuring
The Nutcracker Christmas Ballet!
by the New York City Ballet, Illustrated by Valeria Docampo
Starting our list is this beautiful picture book version of The Nutcracker illustrated by Valeria Docampo. It is an absolutely !
The storyline follows George Balanchine's The Nutcracker production based on the New York City's Ballet performance.
It is utterly enchanting book with captivating scenes and just enough story to enchant young readers; a perfect book for introducing the Nutcracker ballet!
photo: atvivhomeprints
by Jennifer Adams
by Jan & Mike Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears have a book for every occasion!
This Christmas, Santa has left a nutcracker under the tree and Brother Bear and Sister Bear eventually put aside their other flashier gifts and use their imaginations to enter the world of The Nutcracker!
This series is timeless and The Berenstain Bears and The Nutcracker is a fabulous and fun story within a story that will delight young readers and serve as a wonderful introduction to this classic holiday Nutcracker ballet!
4. Nutcracker
E.T.A. Hoffman Pictures by Maurice Sendak
Did you know that Maurice Sendak designed the sets and costumes for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker?
This book gives a fresh approach to the timeless story and is based on the Pacific Northwest Ballet's version of the Christmas ballet!
If you're looking for a book featuring the original Nutcracker story line, this Nutcracker is the book to buy!
photo: MyKidzBookshelf
by Charlotte Nebres, Illustrations by Alea Marley
Charlotte and the Nutcracker is based on a true story of Charlotte Nebres. She was the first Black girl to dance the coveted role of Marie in the New York City Ballet!
This easy to follow picture book weaves together the Nutcracker with Charlotte's personal story that will inspire young dancers who want to follow in Charlotte's footsteps!
photo: flickr.com
photo/available at marendevineart
by John Robert Allman Illustrations by Julianna Swaney
The Night Before the Nutcracker is a wonderful book for learning about the behind-the-scenes to this fabulous holiday production!
The American Ballet Theatre's newly released book tells the reader everything that goes into this fabulous Christmas ballet!
With rhyming text and adorable illustrations, budding ballerinas and future dancing princes will enjoy the excitement in this sweet picture book!
The Night Before the Nutcracker makes a great addition to the bookshelf!
by Marilyn Singer Illustrations by Alexandra Boiger
Tallulah's Nutcracker by Marilyn Singer is a fan favorite! Tallulah is excited to get a part in a real ballet - The Nutcracker!
Sometimes things don't go as planned- even with plenty of practice! Tellulah's Nutcracker is a wonderful story with a great message and absolutely perfect for your dancer's bookshelf!
sticker: mykidzbookshelf
by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig
If you have a young dancer in the house, then you may already be familiar with Angelina Ballerina!
Angelina Ballerina is a ballet-loving mouse who has many adventures with her friends and family all while aiming to be a prima ballerina!
Angelina Ballerina Nutcracker Sticker Stories is a fabulous gift for your dancer and also makes a fun and interactive way to prepare before seeing The Nutcracker!
Love Christmas movies? This FREE Christmas Movie Bingo printable is perfect for the holidays!
9. The Nutcracker: A Coloring Book
The Nutcracker: A Coloring Book is so lovely! We recently became a little obsessed with coloring books after publishing our 25 Fave Coloring Books post!
Based on the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, this coloring book is filled detailed and beautiful scenes that makes a great gift for a tween, teen or adult!
10. The Nutcracker Designs Coloring Book by Creative Haven
The Nutcracker Designs Coloring Book by Creative Haven is perfect for tweens with enough detail to add interest and quality paper for a good coloring background!
Perfect for dancers, artists and those who enjoy a little seasonal relaxation by coloring!
sticker: mykidzbookshelf
11. A Little Golden Book: The Nutcracker
illustrated by Sheila Beckett
Little Golden Books are treasured by children everywhere!
A Golden Book, The Nutcracker brings its classic charm to this magical Christmas story!
This Nutcracker is a sweet, cute version that is perfect for introducing a younger child to the ballet or reading before bedtime!
12. Usborne Musical Books: The Nutcracker
by Fiona Watt
This Nutcracker musical book from Usborne is a winner! The colors and illustrations are so fun and reviewers love how the musical samples are the perfect length!
We have been a fan of Fiona Watt's illustrations for many years and this version of the Nutcracker is definitely one of our favorites!
13. The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is highly reviewed and makes a wonderful holiday book for kids!
Susan Jeffers, a Caldecott Honor-winner and best-selling author has created a beautifully detailed book that is a gorgeous pick for Nutcracker fans and young audience attendees!
A great version that's easy to understand and is filled with stunning illustrations will have your young reader begging to read The Nutcracker again and again!
Jan Brett's The Nutcracker is the perfect choice for fans of this award-winning illustrator and storyteller!
For those of you who are not familiar with Jan Brett, she has penned and illustrated numerous picture books whose stories are inspired by tales around the world!
Jan Brett's picture books are filled to the brim with enchanting illustrations that will delight readers of all ages and make perfect gifts!!
Visit our post featuring Jan Brett's The Mermaid to see one of our favorite titles!
If you or your young reader is interested in reading the original story, here is one of the earliest translations of The Nutcracker from 1853!
The story behind the famous Christmas ballet makes a wonderful addition to your Nutcracker book collection!
photo: loveshackfancy.com
BONUS:
If you have a fan of Sticker Books, this Dolly Dressing The Nutcracker book is a fabulous choice! It's a super fun activity book for your young ballet fan! Colorful and glittery stickers pair perfectly with the lovely story and vibrant illustrations!
Well, there you have it! Some of our fave Nutcracker books that will make a great addition to your bookshelf!
Headed off to a Nutcracker performance? Take some pics and tag us @mykidzbookshelf!
Know someone who might like this post? We'd love it if you share!
Happy Nutcracker Season!
sticker: mykidzbookshelf
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updated 11/13/2023 originally published 12/06/2022
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