The Night Before the Nutcracker by John Robert Allman and Julianna Swaney - LOW

The Night Before the Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre presents) by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Julianna Swaney. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random), 2022. $19. 9780593180914

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Allman tries to set a story about dancers preparing and then performing The Nutcracker, using the rhythm of The Night Before Christmas. Tries – because it does not carry all the way through with the same excitement and interest of the original. Anyone trying to read this aloud like the original will soon lose track of the rhythm. While anyone who has danced in The Nutcracker might enjoy this, it has limited appeal for a wider audience.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS