The Nutcracker is a sweet traditional story. It is told in chronological order with enough details sufficient to the story. Each page is about a paragraph long made up of detailed, yet easy to read sentences. The author is especially good about including literary tools, for example the writer uses the onomatopoeia, "bong" to convey the feeling that time is running out for Marie, the main character. Also, the book uses the simile "sweetly as a nightingale" to express to the reader exactly how well Herr Drosselmeier, Marie's godfather, made toys. One of the neat aspects of this tale is the personification of the flowers, snowflakes, toys, teas, and coffee. These objects I have just mentioned become beautiful dancers in this magical storybook. The fairy tale is told at a fast pace. He often ends a page in the middle of an action-packed scene encouraging the young reader to turn the page. Other than writing, the author also illustrates the story.
Susan Jeffers, the author/illustrator, designed a striking cover that presents two main characters in the story, which helps introduce them to the writing. Marie is depicted on the cover as a loving person. Jeffers really has a natural talent for showing expression in an individual's eyes. You can tell by the way Marie's hair is flowing and her flushed cheeks that she is running away from something. She is not running away from the nutcracker in her arms, so she must be saving him and herself from an unknown character. This shows she loves him no matter what his appearance may be. The artist used drawing as their primary medium. Pages seventeen and eighteen summarize the story very well. These pages show several characters in one scene. They display to the young reader the setting and time of year the tale took place, Susan placed the characters under a Christmas tree. Also, she shows the transition of scenes to exhibit the different parts of the story. If you look closely at the ornaments in the picture you can see Marie's godfather. That helps explain how all of the magic is happening. The illustrator has two main elements in her illustrations. Most of her drawings show the two main characters, Marie, and the nutcracker. However, she has another element throughout her drawings, the spirit and magic of Christmas. Jeffers's is great at showing characterization in the pictures.
In the sotry, Marie is characterized as a loving child. She loves the nutcracker even though he was ugly. She has an unconditional love for him. The text is also very clear that Marie is courageous. Throughout the tale the text clearly states that Marie is courageous. She even kills the Mouse King to save her beloveed nutcracker. The illustrations in the story show her as a sweet, grateful, and selfless child. Young children can relate with Marie's traits. Children, young girls especially, can be very protective. They protect their dolls and toys as if they were a real baby or soldier. Marie genuinely loves and protects her little doll.
She is a trustworthy individual. You have to be trustworthy to go places in life, learning this is a life lesson. The main problem in the story occurs when Marie tries to escape the Evil Mouse King. Running away does her no good, but once she fights the "problem" instead of running away she then is able to solve it. Many kids can relate because they run away from their fears and problems instead of turning around and solving them. Although she is only a young child, she takes matters in her own hands to solve the conflict. She ends up killing the Evil Mouse King to save her and the nurcracker. Altogether, Susan Jeffers has created an interesting, creative, and visually stunning fairy tale!
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