Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads

Elementary Education


Guides
Collections
News
(0)
Wish List (0)
Wish List
Download high-resolution image Look inside

The Night Before the Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre)

Part of American Ballet Theatre

Author John Robert Allman
Illustrated by Julianna Swaney
Look inside
Hardcover
$18.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Doubleday Books for Young Readers
10.44"W x 10.31"H x 0.43"D  
On sale Sep 06, 2022 | 40 Pages | 9780593180914
Preschool - 2
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
See Additional Formats
Get a front-row seat and experience the excitement of opening night as young dancers prepare for a performance of The Nutcracker. This festive holiday picture book, created in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, is a perfect gift for young readers and dance fans.

’Twas the night before The Nutcracker and, sleepless in their beds,
these budding ballet dancers are rehearsing in their heads.

Children who dream of dancing in The Nutcracker will love this magical illustrated holiday story, told in the tradition of "The Night Before Christmas." Four young girls and boys experience the thrills of auditions, rehearsals, costume fittings, and finally the big event: opening night! It's a behind-the-scenes peek that will delight young dancers.

An afterword with original costume illustrations by Tony Award winner Richard Hudson makes this keepsake picture book both aspirational and informative.
JOHN ROBERT ALLMAN lives in New York City, where is works in television marketing. He is the author of A Is for Audra, B Is for Broadway, J Is for Judy, and three picture books with American Ballet Theatre: Boys Dance!, B Is for Ballet, and The Night Before the Nutcracker. John is a graduate of Northwestern University, NYU's Stern School of Business, and BMI's Musical Theatre Workshop. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @Johnny_Allman. View titles by John Robert Allman
JULIANNA SWANEY is an illustrator, designer, and fine artist whose work is inspired by themes of imagination, whimsy, and melancholy. Her books include Mermaid School and I Will Always Be Your Bunny. Julianna studied printmaking at Maine College of Art and currently lives in Portland, Oregon. See more of her work online at Juliannaswaney.com and follow her on Twitter at @ohmycavalier. View titles by Julianna Swaney
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year

“Young balletomanes will clamor to attend a live performance or perhaps aspire to dance themselves.”—Kirkus

"Perfect for sharing with young audience members preparing to see the ballet for the first time, or for those wishing to imagine the wonder from home."—School Library Journal

"Lovely. . . . The verse text rolls along smoothly in a series of well-worded rhymed couplets. Using color sparingly but effectively, the illustrator creates a sense of music within the scenes and even reveals a backstage secret (the stilts under Mother Ginger’s skirt). An appealing introduction to the ballet."—Booklist

"It’s a double bill, introducing both the traditional story and the experiences of its child dancers."—Publishers Weekly

"A Clement C. Moore–inspired rhyming text and lively illustrations offer a tantalizing look at the before, during, and after of “tomorrow’s opening night” for four young dancers. . . . [An] engaging look at the seasonal staple."—The Horn Book

About

Get a front-row seat and experience the excitement of opening night as young dancers prepare for a performance of The Nutcracker. This festive holiday picture book, created in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, is a perfect gift for young readers and dance fans.

’Twas the night before The Nutcracker and, sleepless in their beds,
these budding ballet dancers are rehearsing in their heads.

Children who dream of dancing in The Nutcracker will love this magical illustrated holiday story, told in the tradition of "The Night Before Christmas." Four young girls and boys experience the thrills of auditions, rehearsals, costume fittings, and finally the big event: opening night! It's a behind-the-scenes peek that will delight young dancers.

An afterword with original costume illustrations by Tony Award winner Richard Hudson makes this keepsake picture book both aspirational and informative.

Author

JOHN ROBERT ALLMAN lives in New York City, where is works in television marketing. He is the author of A Is for Audra, B Is for Broadway, J Is for Judy, and three picture books with American Ballet Theatre: Boys Dance!, B Is for Ballet, and The Night Before the Nutcracker. John is a graduate of Northwestern University, NYU's Stern School of Business, and BMI's Musical Theatre Workshop. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @Johnny_Allman. View titles by John Robert Allman
JULIANNA SWANEY is an illustrator, designer, and fine artist whose work is inspired by themes of imagination, whimsy, and melancholy. Her books include Mermaid School and I Will Always Be Your Bunny. Julianna studied printmaking at Maine College of Art and currently lives in Portland, Oregon. See more of her work online at Juliannaswaney.com and follow her on Twitter at @ohmycavalier. View titles by Julianna Swaney

Praise

A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year

“Young balletomanes will clamor to attend a live performance or perhaps aspire to dance themselves.”—Kirkus

"Perfect for sharing with young audience members preparing to see the ballet for the first time, or for those wishing to imagine the wonder from home."—School Library Journal

"Lovely. . . . The verse text rolls along smoothly in a series of well-worded rhymed couplets. Using color sparingly but effectively, the illustrator creates a sense of music within the scenes and even reveals a backstage secret (the stilts under Mother Ginger’s skirt). An appealing introduction to the ballet."—Booklist

"It’s a double bill, introducing both the traditional story and the experiences of its child dancers."—Publishers Weekly

"A Clement C. Moore–inspired rhyming text and lively illustrations offer a tantalizing look at the before, during, and after of “tomorrow’s opening night” for four young dancers. . . . [An] engaging look at the seasonal staple."—The Horn Book

Additional formats

Other books in this series

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

General Education & Professional Learning

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

On Monday, June 10th, Penguin Random House Education and DK Learning co-hosted a Reading with Purpose Summit Event in collaboration with Molly Ness, PhD. The event took place at Penguin Random House’s NYC headquarters and included sessions featuring leading education experts and a lunchtime author panel. The in-person professional learning event was built to show

Read more

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

General Education & Professional Learning
Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology

2024 Elementary School Collection

The Penguin Random House Education Elementary School Collection features outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from Penguin Young Reader’s, Random House Children’s, DK, and Grupo Editorial, as well as children’s publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Explore online or download this valuable resource to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: Leveled Readers,

Read more

2024 Elementary School Collection

Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology
DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request
General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

Thank you for your interest in DK Learning | Phonic Books. To download the DK Learning | Phonic Books sampler with four complete readers, please click here and complete the form. Once your information is successfully submitted, a link to download the sampler will be provided on the confirmation screen.   Click here to learn

Read more

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts
education translanguaging collections affirming bilingual and multilingual learners
General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

About Elementary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

About Elementary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Elementary Education
    Wish List (0)