Waltz of the Snowflakes
By Elly MacKay
The Story
A reluctant young girl trades a cold, rainy evening for a night at the ballet with her grandmother, and finds herself utterly transformed by the magic of The Nutcracker.
Why It's Special
For the kid who needs a little convincing to get dressed up and go somewhere new — this book shows exactly what might be waiting on the other side of that reluctance.
- Big idea: Sometimes the things we resist turn out to hold the most wonder — you just have to show up and let the curtain rise.
- Vibes: dreamy, hushed, and theatrical, with a slow build from gray drizzle to glowing color
Perfect For Kids Who
- love ballet, theater, or The Nutcracker
- respond well to wordless storytelling and reading the pictures
- are working on trying new things even when reluctant
- enjoy quiet, atmospheric stories shared with a grownup
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & noticing: What changes on the girl's face once the curtains rise on The Nutcracker?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the girl felt before the ballet, when it was cold and rainy outside?
- Real-life connection: Has a grownup ever taken you somewhere you didn't want to go, but it turned out to be wonderful?
- Imagination: If you could step inside the ballet's colors and costumes, what would you want to wear?
- Art & illustration: How does the artwork show the difference between the dreary evening and the magic of the theater?
