"The Nutcracker" w/pictures by Maurice Sendak~Gorgeous Book!

SUMMARY:  
"A classic, new and complete. One of the ten best illustrated children's books of the year."
— New York Times Book Review

The tale of Nutcracker, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share.

Maurice Sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Christmas production of Nutcracker and created even more magnificent pictures especially for this book. He joined with the eminent translator Ralph Manheim to produce this illustrated edition of Hoffmann's wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages.

The world of Nutcracker is a world of pleasures. Maurice Sendak's art illuminates the delights of Hoffmann's story in this rich and tantalizing treasure.

After hearing how her toy nutcracker got his ugly face, a little girl helps break the spell and watches him change into a handsome prince.

PARTICULARS OF THE BOOK :

Published by:   Crown Publishing Group
Pages:  128
Genre:  Fiction/Children's/Art
Find the book here:  Barnes & Noble


MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

Maurice Sendak received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are. In 1970 he received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration, and he remains the only American ever awarded this honor. In 1983, Sendak received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association, given in recognition of his entire body of work. He also received a 1996 National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution of arts in America.

Ralph Manheim, translator of Grimm's Fairy Tales and many other works, was a renowned German-language translator.

THE BOOKISH DAME REVIEWS :

I simply cannot say enough good things about this gorgeous book!  From the moment I held it in my hands and saw the cover, I was enchanted.  Maurice Sendak makes any childhood dream come true, and makes our wildest imaginations come alive. His amazing drawings/paintings of "The Nutcracker" are made for children and adults alike.  Just beautiful.  This is a keepsake book.

The illustrations are remarkable.  The Mouse King is horrific!  Clara is the every-girl next door caught between childhood and growing up--reminding me of Wendy's style in "Peter Pan," and the Nutcracker is a force to be reckoned with.  Beautiful dolls and princesses are dancing dreams.  I love the nearly pastel shades Mr. Sendak has used to render all of them, and the wonderful scale of his pictures bringing them to life.

The telling of the story that finally comes through from E.T.A. Hoffmann's original is done very well.  Some of the tale was new to me, and I wondered at all the "artistic license" taken with the familiar Tchaikovsky ballet version. 

This book presents a magnificent and detailed account.  The only problem with it being written for children is that it will likely not be understood or tolerated in one sitting for young children.  This is a book more for young adult to adult appetites, I think.  Children will enjoy it in parts, and perhaps over time as they mature, I suspect.

When my children were growing up we went to the theatre every year to see "The Nutcracker Suite" in Boston.  They seemed to love the production and never to tire of it.  I know my grandchildren will love this book for a Christmas treat and tradition to go along with the one we started.  I have a feeling my grown children will, too!

5 brilliant stars!!!               Deborah/TheBookishDame

Where The Wild Things Are~The Passing of Our Beloved Maurice Sendak

Our beloved "Wild Thing" has gone back to his island in his little boat where he will undoubtedly be greeted by many a beastie and wild thing who has loved and missed him over many years.  It will be such a loss for those of us still left over here in The Night Kitchen...sleeping in our restless beds, waiting for the bread to be baked and our milk to be poured. 

He died yesterday at age 83.

When my children were old enough to sit and listen to music and to my reading to them, I bought Carol King's rendition of "I'm Really Rosie" and all the other Maurice Sendak books and poems to music.  "Rosie" was a favorite of my daughter's.  But, I have sung "Chicken Soup" to my children hundreds of times, as well as to my grandchildren and other children, over the course of nearly 40 years. I've sung it with passion and acted it out because

 I know it by heart.

 I most recently bought a set of Mr. Sendak's tiny library for my youngest grandsons.  One of whom was pictured hiding under a table with a little red one in his tiny hands.

  His dad did the same thing 30 years prior.

Maurice doesn't age, you see.

"I Don't Care" kept my grandson, Kellan, on the sofa and quiet when he had a blazing ear infection last year.  He loves to hear me sing it to him whenever we get a chance. 

Kellan is sometimes a petulant child, and that poem suits him just fine.  :]

It and he are adorable!

And, "One Was Johnny" used to give us all a run for our money.  I remember all my children and me during the years trying to keep up with that song! 

I know all the songs/poems by heart.

I've read "Where the Wild Things Are" hundreds of times, have you?  I've purchased "wild thing" paraphernalia for my children and grands over the past 40 years, and wished I was young enough to wear them and play with them myself.  Even now, I'd take a Wild Thing stuffed animal, thank you.

So, here's to you, Mr. Sendak....and, actually,

Hail, to the Chief!

Good-night, dear friend.

My little family and I love you and  will really miss you.

A Small Note About Him from Galley Cat:  (mediabistro.com)

Brooklyn-born children’s writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Sendak grew up in Bensonhurst and graduated Lafayette High School before going on to create wildly popular works—often dark and with an edge—like Where the Wild Things Are, which won him the prestigious Caldecott Medal. Even before his passing, the Brooklyn Book Festival had planned to honor Mr. Sendak with a special bookmark given to attendees at this year’s festival on September 23, a fitting tribute from Brooklyn—the Creative Capital of New York City and home to more writers per square inch than anywhere—to one of its native sons. On behalf of literary lovers throughout Brooklyn and beyond, I extend our thoughts and prayers to Maurice Sendak’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Please take time to read about him in this long,  dedicated article on Mr. Sendak  by The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/books/maurice-sendak-childrens-author-dies-at-83.html?_r=1


Deborah/TheBookishDame


Please leave your comments.    Do you  have a favorite memory of Mr. Sendak's works?