E. T. A Hoffmann

Ten of Hoffmann's greatest tales, enormously popular in Europe but rarely seen in the United States: "The Golden Flower Pot," "Automata," "Nutcracker and the King of Mice," "The Sand Man," and 6 others. Edited and corrected by E. F. Bleiler. Features 7 drawings by Hoffmann.

An abridged version of the story of Marie Stahlbaum, who helps break the spell on her toy nutcracker and watches him change into a handsome prince.

One Christmas after hearing how the toy nutcracker made by her godfather got his ugly face, a little girl helps break the spell and watches him change into a handsome prince.

"Of all the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve, only one captures Marie Stahlbaum's heart: a humble nutcracker ... As midnight nears, he comes to life, revealing a fairy-tale world of magic and wonder, wicked princesses, and fierce battles--and an ancient curse that can only be broken with the help of a true friend. With the evil Mouse King looming and her dream world threatened, Marie will have to find the strength to stand up for her nutcracker--no...

Presents the classic tale of the a little girl's Christmas gift which is transformed into into a young prince, condensed into twelve words, and accompanied by hand-felted illustrations.

A dollmaker cleverly schemes to pass his most beautiful doll off as a real girl, but he is outwitted by the townspeople he tries to deceive.