This book is a trade book with a spin on traditional books. Barbie is an iconic figure while the nutcracker is an iconic story or plot line. Clara (main character) got a gift (the nutcracker) for Christmas. Her brother broke it and she fixed it. When she fixed it, the nutcracker came to life. She then became a part of the story and went on adventures. Her adventure entailed a search for the sugar plum princess. The princess friends got captured in a cage so it was up to Clara to fix the problem and come up with a plan. She did so and in the end the nutcracker (the gift she had received) turned into a prince. The illustrations in this book were every good. They were on a glossy page which helped. The book I read was pretty big which help feel like you are a part of the story as well. A teacher could use this book as a pleasure read and to show that just because you’re a girl that does not mean you cannot save your friends. Usually it’s the prince that comes to the rescue but in this case, the princess completed the mission. ( )

Barbie in the Nutcracker is about a young girl that goes into this dream with the magical nutcracker, she is on a journey to turn herself back into a full size girl because the rat king shrank her. This books illustrations are very detailed with lots to look at. This book is also a very good example of good verses evil. You could also talk about the steps she takes to turn herself back to normal size. You could use her friends she encounters on the way in a class discussion also. ( )