A Dancer’s Dream
£7.30£8.50 (-14%)
In snow white covered St. Petersburg, young dancer Stana’s dreams have finally come true – she has been chosen to play the lead role in Tchaikovsky’s new ballet, The Nutcracker. But with all eyes looking at her, can Stana overcome her nerves and dance like she’s never danced before?
From the author of the bestselling The Sinclair Mysteries, Katherine Woodfine, and Waterstone’s Book Prize winner, Lizzy Stewart, this sumptuous and magical retelling of The Nutcracker will transport you on a journey fay beyond the page.
Praise for Katherine Woodfine’s The Sinclair’s Mysteries series:
‘A wonderful book, with a glorious heroine and a true spirit of adventure’ Katherine Rundell, award-winning author of Rooftoppers
‘Dastardliness on a big scale is uncovered in this well-plotted, evocative novel’ The Sunday Times
‘It’s a dashing plot, an atmospheric setting and an extensive and imaginative cast. Katherine Woodfine handles it all with aplomb’ The Guardian
Praise for Lizzy Stewart’s There’s a Tiger in the Garden (Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017, Illustrated Books Category):
‘A journey of discovery’ The Guardian
‘A stunning testament to the power of imagination’ Metro
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Additional information
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Children's UK (10 Nov. 2022) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 64 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1471186148 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1471186141 |
| Reading age | 5 years and up |
| Dimensions | 24.5 x 1 x 19 cm |
by Rachael Davis
Not many things make me think of Christmas more than Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Katherine and Lizzy have created a truly gorgeous book of the true story behind The Nutcracker.
There is a lovely Authors Note at the back of the book about ballerinas, Stanislava Belinskaya and Anna Pavlova. The story starts in snowy St. Petersburg where Stana dreams of being a ballerina. She’s living the dream when she gets the chance to play Clara in The Nutcracker. But with the pressure on, can Stana overcome her nerves?
This story is just the right length for young readers to enjoy themselves, or to read as a family, perhaps in one go, or over a few sittings for very little ones. It would make a perfect gift for ballet fans!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed. This review contains my honest unbiased opinion.
by Jo Clarke
This is a really lovely book, telling the fictionalised story of the first performance of the Nutcracker ballet. As the synopsis above mentions it tells the story of Stana who is picked to play the lead role of Clara. As well as worrying if she’s up to take on the part she has a huge worry closer to home. I loved the way the author and illustrator wove both these fears into the story. The text is lovely and illustrations that accompany it are just gorgeous. I love Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and always wanted to see the ballet and this book brought me closer to doing that. I think this book would be a wonderful Christmas present for any child who loves the Nutcracker or who is yet to discover it!
Thanks so much NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s UK for my digital copy via the NetGalley app.
by NickiMags
This was such a lovely story! The kind of thing I can imagine myself reading every christmas eve (Along with the nutcracker which I always read every christmas) I dont think the Kindle edition did the illustrations justice and so I am looking forward to seeing this in print!
by Sophie
Sadly the book was damaged on the front cover. As it is a gift I would like to return and order a copy that is not damaged please..thanks
by Rachael Davis
A Dancer’s Dream,’ is a beautiful picture book adaptation of Katherine Woodfine’s, ‘Casse-Noisette,’ in the Winter Magic anthology. Based on the true story of The Nutcracker ballet, we meet Stana whose dreams come true when she is chosen to play Clara but her happiness is tinged with sadness as her sister Olga is gravely ill. Desperate not to let everyone down she tries to immerse herself in the ballet but finds her thoughts tangled up with the fate of her sister. Can Stana overcome her fears and dance like she’s never danced before? Katherine’s brings her gift of magical and atmospheric storytelling to life in this stunning book. It’s a truly thoughtful and heart-warming story, perfect for emerging readers or to share this Christmas. Exquisitely produced with delicately beautiful illustrations by Lizzy Stewart, it is completely enchanting and magical read.
by samantha parker
Great book
by scoutfinch75
I have to begin with just how utterly gorgeous this book is! The end papers are stunning, the dust jacket is a thing of beauty and when you remove the dust jacket… there is a nutcracker doll embossed in gold on the front cover! I squealed with delight when the book arrived.
Lizzy Stewart’s illustrations are delightful and help to bring the story to life.
This story brought a tear to my eye. Stana is such a lovely, kind and sensitive little girl; she is the perfect character to introduce the Nutcracker story to a whole new audience. I especially enjoyed the author’s note at the back of the book, clarifying the fictional elements of the story from fact.