Noelle of the Nutcracker

Second-grader Ilyana Ingram longs to own the beautiful ballerina doll Noelle from the moment she sees her in Bugle's Toy Store during a class field trip. It doesn't seem likely that she ever will, as the doll is terribly expensive, and her spoiled classmate Mary Jane—the daughter of wealthy parents—wants her as well. Noelle, in the meantime, wants to be discovered and go on stage, having little interest in belonging to a little girl. But the magic of Christmas can accomplish many things, and as Ilyana is caught up in the fun of the season—preparing for her role in her class's pageant, getting to see a performance of the Nutcracker—and Noelle is selected as a prop for the Nutcracker, events unfold which bring them their hearts' show more desire...

Published in 1986, this chapter book from author Pamela Jane and illustrator Jan Brett pairs an engaging holiday tale with appealing black and white artwork. It describes the everyday life of a (then) contemporary child, from her family circle to her school friends (and enemy). I discovered it while searching for holiday titles from Brett, and requested it from my library on impulse. I'm glad I did, as I found the story enjoyable, and think young readers who are just getting going with chapter books (it is a brief sixty pages), and who like tales about dolls, ballet, and school and family dynamics, will likewise appreciate it. Children who like stories from the doll's perspective will find the sections from Noelle's point of view particularly interesting. It is to such young readers that I would recommend this one. show less

When Ilyana Ingram goes to Bugle's Toy Store with her class, she immediately spots Noelle, the gorgeous ballet doll, and falls in love with her. Another girl in her class, Mary Jane, also wants Noelle- to keep her from Ilyana! Everything seems in Mary Jane's favor- Mary Jane's rich parents buy her all the dolls she wants (and Mary Jane stuffs them in her closet), but Ilyana's love for Noelle wins out. After she wears a costume to look like Noelle for her class play, her teacher's fiance' gets her out of storage at the ballet to give to Ilyana. Everything that Christmas is magical.