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(back cover) Join Ella Bella Ballerina as she twirls into the enchanting, festive world of " The Nutcracker " ballet with its dancing snowflakes, swirling sweets, and beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy. But can Ella Bella help the Nutcracker defeat his archenemy, the wicked Mouse King? Discover the magic of famous ballets with the charming Ella Bella Ballerina. Created by James Mayhew, this delightful character appears in three more books in this series: " Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella, Ella Bella Ballerina and the Sleeping Beauty, "and " Ella Bella Ballerina and Swan Lake. " All " Ella Bella books " are available in North America from Barron's. (front flap) Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker Written and Illustrated by James Mayhew Christmas is coming, and Madame Rosa has prepared a surprise party for her ballet class. "Ella Bella, would you fetch the music box?" asks Madame Rosa. "Then we can have some dancing at our party." As the music begins playing, little Ella Bella is magically transported into the enchanting, festive world of The Nutcracker ballet. There, she meets the beautiful Clara and her wooden Nutcracker doll. Together, Ella and Clara must fight off the evil Mouse King so they can break the evil spell that has transformed a handsome prince into the Nutcracker doll. A brief passage at the back of the book recounts the life of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and his creation of the music for this famous ballet. (back flap) ABOUT THE AUTHOR James Mayhew was born in Blundeston, a tiny village in Suffolk, England. Today he lives with his wife and son in Letchworth Garden City, England. The author and illustrator of many popular children's books, James Mayhew claims that he began writing so that he would have something to illustrate. He is also the author of "Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella, Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty, "and "Ella Bella Ballerina and Swan Lake. "