Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Nutcracker in Harlem by T. E. McMorrow - ADVISABLE

McMorrow, T. E. The Nutcracker in Harlem.  PICTURE BOOK.  Illustrated by James Ransome.  Harper, 2017.  $18. 

Even with all of the music surrounding her, young Marie can’t seem to find her voice and join in.  Then for Christmas one year, Uncle Cab gives her a nutcracker.  That night her dreams are filled with a crazy story of ranks of nutcracker soldiers fighting a large mouse army.  Its only when Marie takes up the drum and joins in that the mice are repelled.  Though it may not strictly be a voice, Marie has found her songs.

At first I thought this was going to be a story of the Nutcracker ballet being performed in Harlem. Instead, I found a sweetly rhythmic retelling of the Nutcracker story itself.  McMorrow’s editing and imaginings bring the sights and sounds of Harlem alive and are perfectly complimented by Ransome’s illustrations.

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

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