<p><b>A retelling of the classic festive story by Alexandre Dumas which inspired Tchaikovsky's famous ballet. Full of wonder and imagination, featuring original black-and-white illustrations by French artist Bertall.</b><br /><br />On Christmas Eve, seven-year-old Mary excitedly opens her presents. She unwraps an intriguing little nutcracker figure from her godfather.<br /><br />One night, as the clock strikes twelve, young Mary's Nutcracker comes alive to battle a ferocious army of mice. The next day Mary eagerly tells her family what she witnessed, but only godfather Drosselmayer believes her.<br /><br />Drosselmayer tells Mary the story of a young mechanic who accidentally brought a curse upon the charming Princess Pirlipata. A far-flung quest for the mystical Cracatook Nut ensues, and all of a sudden Mary and her Nutcracker are whisked away to a magical land . . .<br /><br />This edition of <i>The Nutcracker</i> is part of the Macmillan Collector's Library, a series of stunning pocket-sized classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.</p&gt;