One cold and frosty Christmas Eve night, the Stahlbaum house shone festive and bright. Twinkling candles lit up the tree as guests arrived for the Stahlbaums’ party. Hoffmann’s tale of The Nutcracker is a favourite traditional story made popular by Tchaikovsky’s ballet music. Retold in verse and beautifully illustrated by Caroline Pedler, the story captures the magic and excitement of Christmas Eve.