The Nutcracker Ballet: A Book, Theater, and Paper Doll Fold-out Play Set Hardcover – March 30, 2008

I like to collect unusual books, and I'm newly interested in "The Nutcracker Ballet" --having received a Penguin Christmas Classic book "The Nutcracker" by E.T.A. Hoffmann for Christmas this year--the book that inspired the much loved dance performance. During a search on Amazon, I discovered "The Nutcracker Ballet: A Book, Theater, and Paper Doll Fold-Out Play Set," and I thought it promised to be a wonderful edition to my library. I was not disappointed by this clever adaptation from Mara Conlon. The story is engaging, and the illustrations bring the tale to life in vivid colors. The paper dolls match the book's images allowing the reader to become a participant in re-creating the story. This is a quality set that would make a fun Christmas gift for young ones who are interested in dance and theater. A dance teacher might enjoy this item too! I really like how the book opens to become a grand stage complete with appropriate scenery. A green strap allows the stage to stay open for the play. The hardcover outer "book" is sturdy and provides a fantastic way to carry the inner book, the theater, and the players safely together.

We purchased this as a 5th birthday gift for our daughter that loves to user her imagination and to familiarize her with the story before attending the nutcracker ballet for the holidays. We have already read and acted out the story several times since she unwrapped it. The story summarizes the tale of the Nutcracker simply yet fully. The paperdolls and stages are fantastic and will lend to hours of imaginative fun. She is already in love with it and it has the possibility to last several years with the right amount of care. Even our 5-year old son enjoys playing it with us as long as he can act out the mouse/soldier battle. I would highly recommend it to anyone whose child loves stories and would enjoy using their imagination. I was not disappointed at all with this purchase and the price made it even more fantastic!

I bought this book/playset for my 5 year old so she would understand the Nutcracker story before we attended the ballet. It is WONDERFUL! She has re-preformed the ballet again and again with the beautiful paper dolls that are included. They did not skimp! There are plenty of dolls for all the scenes in the ballet and the dolls (and the book) are beautifully illustrated! It's so rare to get so much for your money these days...this book & playset delivers! I wouldn't recommend for children much younger than 5 as the dolls are paper dolls and therefore will tear if not treated carefully. There is even a large envelope included in the back where the paper dolls can be safely stored after play.

A lovely little stage to act out the Nutcracker. A perfect gift for a young one to get right before or after going to see the ballet. Of course, one must have music to go with it.

Disappointed my daughter's book is in better shape and the one send doesn't have the book. Alos pist because couldn't returned it.

This year was the first year I've taken my daughter to the Nutcracker ballet. She is five, and I wanted to find a way to introduce the story to her so she could follow along when we went to see it. These cut out paper dolls are adorable and she loved setting them up on stage! In fact, when we were at the ballet, she referenced this play set and said "Mommy, this is stage 2!" My advice though is perhaps consider punching out all the perferated dolls and props before giving this to your young one. There are a LOT of different pieces and takes some time, which some kids may lose interest while you work away :)

I was looking for a Nutcracker book that included the Angel role (since my girls are dancing that part) and this book does. In fact, my girls ages 8 and 6 loved it so much, we bought 5 more copies for their friends who are dancing with them in the production. I was impressed with the number of paper dolls, quality of the book, and definitely the price! The story book itself is illustrated with the same paper doll characters, so it is easy for children to locate and place characters onto the 3 scenes of the stage as they read the story. The paper dolls are made of heavy cardstock, but we also laminated ours so they would endure the amount of play they are getting. I recommend this book.

This book and paper doll theater makes for a great gift, especially at Christmas time. We had just seen the Nutcracker ballet with my 5-year old daughter, and we had an awesome time detaching the beautifully drafted and vibrantly colored paper dolls from their sheets, and creating the scenes from the ballet. For those not familiar with the story, there's a nice picture book included. Once you detach the paper dolls, there's a reclosable pouch where you can keep them for future playing. The only negative comment I have, is that the paper doll bases are a bit flimsy.

Trés beau livre pour les personnes qui aiment le ballet.

Bought this for my daughter to go with tickets to the ballet so she could learn the story before the show. The story was pretty true to the ballet (of course ever production will be a bit different), and the book is relatively well written. The dolls are lovely, although not as sturdy as some reviewers said, at least for a 3.5 yr old.

My little 7 year old granddaughter is trilled by this book. She already knew the music and just befor Xmas we took her to a modern version of the ballet and now she can play with the fold out stage sets and the figures as she listens to the music.

Todo el libro es magnífico.Una edición cuidada,una presentación casa exquisita,un compendio de la obra y el teatrillo donde representar los actos de la misma.Libro muy entretenido e interactivo al 100%.Un gustazo dirigir a los personajes troquelados.Casi me sentía el Director.Precioso!

Later this week, my 6 year old granddaughter is going to the Munich Nutcracker for the first time. I gave her this book for Nikolaus so she can learn the story and play with the paper doll play set. The book has been a great success - she loves it!