THE NUTCRACKER

Back when my daughter was in her "ballet years", once Thanksgiving was over we were in full NUTCRACKER mode, with rehearsals and shows, costumes and tights, family and friends coming to watch...it made Advent a challenge, and I was glad it was over by mid-December so we could have our daughter back!

But she loved it, and since going to see "The Nutcracker" is a Christmas tradition for many families. it was a joy to see the smiles and happiness it brought to so many children in our community.

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same; the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
When Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a ballet, it was actually based on a revision by Alexander Dumas, a well known French author. His version reflects more of what we have come to love as the Nutcracker Ballet. (from NutcrackerBallet.net)

End of the "Battle Scene" between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Beautiful "Snow" scene

The Nutcracker Prince and Clara

Susan Jeffers has one of the best children's books on the market about this ballet (she intentionally based in on the ballet, not the original story).  She said it took her three years to finish.  I think you'll agree with me that the illustrations are absolutely enchanting.  Click here to read my past post about this author.


THE NUTCRACKER by Susan Jeffers

WYNKEN, BLYNKEN AND NOD

Wynken, Blynken and Nod Fountain in Wellsboro, PA



 WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD, by Eugene Field, illustrated by Susan Jeffers.  (ages 4-8).  My last entry was about Susan Jeffers and her beautiful books and illustrations.  One book she illustrated that I didn't mention deserves its own post!  Wynken, Blynken and Nod is actually a poem, originally titled "Dutch Lullaby".  (I've posted the full text below.) The poem is a bedtime story of three fishermen sailing and fishing in the stars. Their boat is a wooden shoe. The fishermen symbolize a sleepy child's blinking eyes and nodding head.

Over 100 years ago, "Wynken, Blynken and Nod" came alive in the imagination of Eugene Field and on March 9, 1889, he penned the immortal words of this perfect childhood poem.  Field, considered to be the first newspaper columnist in the US, lived only 45 years - from 1850 to 1895. During that time, he wrote over 500 poems and short stories, many about children. He believed childhood was the most precious time of life and therefore, should be enjoyed by day dreaming, pretending, and using one's imagination before the realities and responsibilities of adulthood were attained.

Click here to watch a video of Walt Disney presenting an introduction to Disney's cartoon version.
Click here to watch the 1938 Disney short of Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (The animation is adorable, but I prefer the poem to the cartoon!)


WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD (Dutch Lullaby)

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe---
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea---
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish---
Never afeard are we";
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam---
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
'T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 't was a dream they 'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea---
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

ENTER THE WORLD OF SUSAN JEFFERS...

Illustration from THE NUTCRACER, by Susan Jeffers

"The first part of my work is to find a story that inspires pictures in me. It is like being a dancer and having to wait for the music to move your feet. Everything comes from this." - Susan Jeffers.

Susan Jeffers' semi-autobiographical story, MY PONY, is the tale of a girl who dreams of having a pony.  After her parents explain that it is too expensive and would require a lot of space to take on such a pet, the little girl begins drawing an imaginary pony, "Silver", who inhabits a magical world that she can be transported to through her art.  Any horse lover will want to own this beautiful book!  She's done several other horse stories, including MY CHINCOTEAGUE PONY (ages 4-8).

 

Illustration from MY PONY, by Susan Jeffers.

Fairy tales Susan Jeffers has illustrated include:
CINDERELLA and  HANSEL AND GRETEL, as well as Hans Christian Andersen's THE SNOW QUEEN, THE WILD SWANS, THUMBELINA. (ages 4-8)

Many of Susan Jeffers' illustrations have a dream-like quality, but she does not limit herself to fairy tales.  Jeffers' horse stories and cutest-dog-ever McDUFF illustrations for the books by Rosemary Wells are not to be missed! (toddler - kindergarten)




If kittens are more appealing to your child, Jeffers' adorable artwork in the sweet book, K IS FOR KITTEN, by Niki Clark Leopold,  will not disappoint! (The "Y is for Yawn" at the end, makes this a perfect bedtime story that preschoolers will love.)

For a complete list of all Susan Jeffers' books, visit her wonderful website.  (Be sure to check out her "Activity Page", if you have a little budding artist to share it with!)