Tallulah’s Nutcracker

Budding ballerina Tallulah is over the moon when she learns that she will be a mouse in The Nutcracker. Even though there are 11 other mice in the production, and it’s not exactly glamorous to dress as a mouse, Tallulah takes her role seriously (she even misses out on selecting a Christmas tree because of rehearsal). But a mistake on opening night leaves Tallulah in tears until a few seasoned dancers offer their own stories of on-stage foibles. As in the previous Tallulah books, Boiger’s muted watercolors offer understated elegance, while Singer gingerly addresses how the wisdom of caring adults and role models can bring valuable perspective to a moment of humiliation. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (Oct.)