It is Christmas Eve and Clara and her brother Fritz are excited! Every year uncle Drosselmeier brings them special Christmas gifts. This year Clara gets a wooden soldier. It's a nutcracker and Fritz thinks he looks a bit silly, but Clara falls in love with his big, kind eyes. And that night she discovers her new friend can do a lot more than crack nuts. He used to be a brave soldier who fell in love with a real princess...In this magical picture book An Leysen gives the classic Christmas story by E.T.A. Hoffmann a new look. Her evocative art will transport you to the wonderful world of the mean mouse king and the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy. For children aged 5 and up, and for everyone who love fairy tales!