See The Nutcracker from the best seats in the house and from behind the curtains.Modeled after Clement C. Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas," this book, created in partnership with the American Ballet Theatre, takes readers through the process of mounting the beloved show, with special attention paid to the youngest dancers. There are no dreams of sugarplums the night before the opening performance. Instead, these racially diverse young ones are restless, reliving the preparations that brought them to this point. First there were tense auditions, and then they learned and practiced the poses and steps before even beginning rehearsals and run-throughs with the professional adult dancers. Costumes were constructed and fitted, and the performers had their dress rehearsal. When the big day arrives, schoolwork must be done, and the dancers must warm up, don costumes, apply makeup, and have their hair styled. Finally, there are last family hugs and encouraging good wishes, and a stagehand calls out, "Places!" Allman now directs attention to the stage as readers experience the entire magical tale of The Nutcracker, followed by bows, cheers, and celebrations. Tonight, the children dream of all the fun to come in the next performances. Swaney's illustrations spread across the pages, often showing the action in multiple spaces, depicting the grueling hard work to achieve perfection in line and movement and the utter joy of the dance. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Young balletomanes will clamor to attend a live performance or perhaps aspire to dance themselves. (scene-by-scene summary of the ballet) (Picture book. 4-10)

In this performance-based picture book published in partnership with the American Ballet Theatre, Allman views the Christmas ballet classic through the lens of the young ballet students dancing it. Embracing gentle parody (“ ’Twas the night before The Nutcracker and, sleepless in their beds,/ these budding ballet dancers are rehearsing in their heads”), the rhyming lines revisit the kids’ process—including auditions, costume fittings, and dress rehearsals—“till the burst of joy and jitters/ when a stagehand hollers ‘Places!’ ” During the Nutcracker recounting that follows, Swaney shows the troupe of dancers, portrayed in a range of skin tones and with doll-like features, as a tapestry of costumes and gestures. Interest peaks as backstage scenes show stagehands sweeping the snow away and Mother Ginger, standing on stilts, hiding children beneath voluminous skirts. It’s a double bill, introducing both the traditional story and the experiences of its child dancers. Costume illustrations from a 2010 performance conclude. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)