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- Herausgeber: XSPO
- Kategorie: Fachliteratur
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King with this 2024 adaptation, crafted to delight readers of all ages. This special edition transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann's timeless tale into a magical reading experience for the whole family. Richly illustrated with stunning watercolor artwork by renowned Russian artists, the book captures the vivid atmosphere of the original story while adding a touch of visual charm to every page. The carefully adapted text ensures accessibility for younger readers without losing the depth and wonder that have captivated audiences for generations. Perfect for family reading, this beautifully designed edition promises to bring joy, inspiration, and the spirit of the holidays to your home. A treasured addition to any bookshelf, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: Adapted and Illustrated Edition makes an ideal gift and an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Christmas Eve
Chapter 2: The Gifts
Chapter 3: The Favorite
Chapter 4: Wonders upon Wonders
Chapter 5: The Battle
Chapter 6: The Sickness
Chapter 7: The Story of the Hard Nut
Chapter 8: The Story of the Hard Nut Continued
Chapter 9: Conclusion of the Story of the Hard Nut
Chapter 10: The Uncle and Nephew
Chapter 11: The Victory
Chapter 12: The Puppet Kingdom
Chapter 13: The Capital
Chapter 14: The Conclusion
THE NUTCRACKER AND MOUSE-KING
Adapted
BY ALEXANDER NEMIROV
With Watercolor Illustrations
This 2024 EditionFeatures a Modern Adaptation for Children
Chapter 1: Christmas Eve
During the long day of December 24th, the Stahlbaum children, Frederic and Maria, were not allowed to go into the living room, let alone the adjoining parlor. The siblings sat together in the nursery, waiting anxiously. As dusk settled in, the room grew dim, and they felt a little nervous. Fred leaned in close to Maria and whispered a secret: all day, he had heard strange rustling, rattling, and soft tapping sounds coming from the forbidden rooms. Not long ago, he even caught a glimpse of a small man with a big chest under his arm, sneaking through the hallway. Of course, Fred knew it could only be their Godfather Drosselmeier.
Maria clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, what wonderful things do you think Godfather Drosselmeier has made for us this year?" she exclaimed.
Counsellor Drosselmeier was a clever man, though not particularly handsome. He was small and thin, with deep wrinkles on his face. Over his right eye, he wore a big black patch, and since he had no hair, he covered his head with a neat white wig made of glass—a remarkable invention. Drosselmeier was a skilled craftsman who could fix any clock or watch. Whenever one of the clocks in the Stahlbaum home stopped working, he would take off his glass wig, pull off his brown coat, put on a blue apron, and carefully use his tools to bring the clock back to life. Little Maria always worried he might hurt the clock, but instead, it would tick merrily again, chiming and singing beautifully.
Godfather Drosselmeier always brought the children fascinating toys. Sometimes it was a little man who bowed and rolled his eyes, or a box that popped open to reveal a tiny bird. But his Christmas Eve gifts were the most special of all—beautiful, intricate creations he spent a long time making. Maria and Fred’s parents treasured these gifts and kept them safe after Christmas.
Maria’s eyes sparkled as she imagined what their godfather might bring this year. Fred guessed it would be a castle with soldiers marching inside. "They’ll defend it with cannons when enemy troops try to attack!" he said confidently.
"No," Maria said dreamily. "He told me about a magical garden with a lake where golden-collared swans sing sweet songs. A little girl feeds them cake by the shore."
"Swans don’t eat cake," Fred said firmly. "And Godfather Drosselmeier can’t make a whole garden! Anyway, his toys aren’t much fun—they’re taken away and put on shelves. I like the presents from Mama and Papa better. We get to keep those and do whatever we want with them."
The children began to guess again. Maria thought her doll, Miss Trutchen, needed replacing. Poor Trutchen kept falling and now had scratches all over her face. Fred insisted he needed a new bay horse for his toy soldiers; his cavalry was far too small.
The room grew darker. Sitting close together, the siblings stopped talking. They thought they heard soft wings fluttering and faint, beautiful music in the distance. Suddenly, there was a loud, jingling sound—kling, kling!—and the doors flew open. A dazzling light spilled out from the great room beyond, and the children gasped. Mama and Papa appeared, smiling as they took their hands.
"Come, dear children," their parents said. "See what Christmas has brought you this year."
Chapter 2: The Gifts
Dear reader, whether your name is Anna, Henry, Maria, or Robert, think back to your last Christmas morning. Imagine the sight of a table covered with wonderful gifts, each one more dazzling than the next. That’s exactly how Frederic and Maria felt when they saw the treasures waiting for them. Their eyes sparkled, and they were too stunned to speak. At last, Maria let out a deep sigh and exclaimed, “Oh, how beautiful! How beautiful!” Frederic leapt into the air higher than ever before.
The children must have been very good that year because they had never seen so many wonderful things on Christmas Eve. A tall fir tree stood in the center of the room, its branches glittering with golden and silver apples. Sugar almonds, lemon drops, and other colorful candies hung like magical ornaments. But the most enchanting part was the tiny candles sparkling among the dark branches, casting a warm glow over the tree and its treasures.
Beneath the tree, the table was covered with presents of every color. Maria’s eyes lit up as she spotted beautiful dolls, a tiny tea set, and miniature furniture. But what caught her attention most was a silk dress adorned with bright ribbons, displayed on a frame so she could admire it from all angles. “Oh, what a lovely dress!” she exclaimed. “Can I put it on now? Please, may I wear it?”
Meanwhile, Frederic had discovered a new bay horse tied to the table. He galloped around the room, pretending to ride it. When he stopped, he announced that it was a wild horse, but he was sure he could tame it soon. Then he turned to inspect his new regiment of toy hussars. Dressed in red and gold with shining silver weapons, they rode magnificent horses that sparkled as if made of silver. Frederic was thrilled.
The children soon turned their attention to the picture books on the table. The pages were filled with lifelike illustrations of flowers, people, and children playing. They were just beginning to explore the books when a familiar sound interrupted them—kling, kling, kling! They knew what this meant: Godfather Drosselmeier’s gift was ready! They ran to the table against the wall, where a curtain hung from ceiling to floor.
