Charlotte and the Nutcracker

By Charlotte Nebres, Alea Marley (Illustrator)

A young ballerina's dream role in The Nutcracker tests her perseverance and celebrates her heritage.

4.8/7 Bookroo expert·3.8/5 Goodreads · 314 ratings

40 pages

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Charlotte Nebres lands the role of Marie in The Nutcracker, becoming the first Black girl to do so at the New York City Ballet. As she balances her love for ballet and Christmas, Charlotte faces the challenge of perfecting her performance. Supported by her Trinidadian and Filipino families, and inspired by her sister's encouragement, she learns the power of resilience. Will Charlotte's dedication and cultural pride shine through on stage? This vibrant tale blends tradition and modernity, offering a heartwarming story of family, dance, and holiday spirit.

From the publisher

A reimagined and modern take on the holiday favorite, this picture book weaves together the classic Christmas tale of The Nutcracker and the true-life story of 12-year-old ballerina Charlotte Nebres, the first Black girl to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production. The only thing Charlotte loves as much as ballet is Christmas. So, when she gets the opportunity to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker, she leaps at the chance. Dancing takes practice-hours of adjusting her arms and perfecting her jumps. With the help of her Trinidadian and Filipino families, encouragement from her sister, and a view of her mom and dad in the audience, Charlotte finds the strength to never give up. In this spectacular debut full of fluid, dynamic illustrations, Charlotte provides youngsters with a multicultural tale of family, dance, and holiday cheer.

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