Every year around Christmas, thanks to the perennially popular ballet The Nutcracker, children have visions of sugarplum fairies dancing in their heads—and onstage. So what better gift than this enchanting paperback version of John Cech’s retelling of E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic tale, which covers not only the ballet but other wondrous adventures? Featuring luminous illustrations by Eric Puybaret, it belongs under every child’s tree.