In 1892, St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre is home to spectacular ballet and the location (under the stage) of the Russian Mouse Ballet Company, in which young Esmeralda dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. The upcoming premiere, Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, is cause for concern, however, since a rodent audience won't appreciate villainous mice and a lack of romance. Esmeralda concocts an alternate story that fits Tchaikovsky's music, contrives to procure scenery and costumes for the mouse production, and takes the lead after the star ends up in a mouse trap. Kladstrup's imaginative story features high adventure, plenty of theater and ballet details, and mostly short chapters that will aid readers new to chapter books. Brett Helquist's black-and-white drawings (usually one per chapter) bring the mice and their activities to life, and a subplot involving nine-year-old human child Irina adds to the book's appeal. With a forward summarizing the original Nutcracker and an afterword recapping Esmeralda's mouse-centric version, this is perfect for balletomanes and mice fans alike.

In 1892 Saint Petersburg, Irina's father is chief custodian for the Mariinsky Theatre, tasked with solving the theater's mouse problem before the Nutcracker's Christmastime debut. Meanwhile, under the stage, the Mariinsky mouse corps de ballet members, including plucky Esmeralda, are rehearsing their own Nutcracker. Irina's and Esmeralda's story lines are individually engaging, and their overlapping moments are warmhearted. Copious illustrations enhance both worlds.

Ballet is beautiful for a mouse ballerina.Irina, a white, Russian girl whose parents work backstage at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, loves ballet. Esmeralda, a Russian mouse who lives in the Mariinsky, also loves ballet. It's 1892, and The Nutcracker: A Ballet in Two Acts with music by Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky is set to premier. The mice also have a company, the Russian Mouse Ballet Company, and are planning their own production to the same music. But Esmeralda faces a terrible conflict. Can a mouse troupe dance to a scenario that features evil mice who are defeated in battle? Kladstrup has crafted a dual tale filled with charm, humor, conflict, and danger. The humans (most of them, at least) are out to exterminate the mice; Tchaikovsky is especially rodentophobic, while Irina is especially sympathetic and helpful. Esmeralda emerges as the perfect main character. She faces trials as a dancer—managing her tail properly is difficult. She displays courage and know-how in obtaining costumes from Irina's doll, crafts an appropriate mouse version of the story, and best of all, she finds her dance muse in the gloriously enchanting score. The synopses for both ballets are included. Helquist's full-page panels in shades of black are delightfully expressive and are filled with charming details. Dance, drama, and a star turn make this a page-turning tale. (author's note) (Animal fantasy. 9-12)

Gr 3-5A warm and fuzzy seasonal tale. It's 1892 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In the famed Mariinsky Theater, the ballet practices for their newest program, The Nutcracker, while the secret Russian Mice Ballet Company is training for their very own performance below the stage. Esmerelda is a young adult mouse who wants nothing more than to be Clara in their performance, but she can't seem to get her tail in proper ballet position. When food shortages, audience skepticism, and a prima ballerina's broken foot threaten to ruin the show, Esmerelda saves the day. This is a well-written, steadily paced book that begs to be read by candlelight during the first snows of winter. Readers familiar with the classic ballet will hear the music as they read, and dance enthusiasts will appreciate the jargon, though prior knowledge of either one is not necessary. There is even a light romance between Esmerelda and a Maksim, a mouse from outside the Mariinsky who helps Esmerelda find her strength and courage. Helquist's jubilant illustrations greatly enhance the book's appeal. The human cast is homogenous, though the mice are described with differences in appearance and nationality. VERDICT Not revolutionary, but a very sweet and enjoyable Christmas read; recommended as a general purchase.Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR