“As a picture book rather than a ballet, of course, its success is highly dependent on the skill of its illustrator. Rich in texture, detail, and glowing colour, Rajka Kupesic’s illustrations for Karen Kain’s story create a world of romance, beauty, and magic – unlike Maurice Sendak’s comic, grotesque stage sets and 1984 picture book of The Nutcracker. The doll-like faces of Kupesic’s characters don’t draw us into their emotions, but rather encourage us to enter with them into this strange and splendid land, glowing with deep blue skies and golden stars. The transformation of edibles into dancing figures, and the appearance of the Fairy from inside a gigantic golden egg – both delights of the Kudelka production – are skillfully transferred to this picture book.

Kupesic’s artwork evokes the feeling of the stage sets without being a literal depiction of them; draperies frame several scenes, but like the bed-curtains and other lavishly used fabrics, they suggest a fantasy world that may be the stage, a dream, gilded memories of old Russia, or the thrill of first seeing The Nutcracker.”

- Gwyneth Evans, Quill & Quire, Canada’s Magazine of Book News & Reviews