This elegant hardback edition with gilded page edges presents the beloved Christmas tale of The Nutcracker. In this enchanting tale, the nutcracker doll that Marie gets for Christmas is no ordinary toy. As the clocks strike midnight on Christmas Eve, it comes to life! The Nutcracker must fight the Mouse King and his armies with the help of an entire cabinet of Marie's playthings. He then whisks Marie away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls. This fantastical fairy tale is a timeless classic of the Christmas season. It was later adapted by the prolific French author, Alexandre Dumas, and went on to inspire Tchaikovsky's world-famous ballet The Nutcracker. This delightful edition features a silver embossed cover design, gilded page edges and beautiful pen and ink illustrations, making it a wonderful gift for the festive season. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound editions of iconic literary works across history. These compact, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and make the perfect gift.