Avril Tyrrell

On Christmas Eve, Clara's handsome, carved Nutcracker Bear grows before her eyes into a live fur-and-claws bear. He takes her hand in his and leads her on a fantastical voyage to the palace of Ursa Major.
Avril Tyrell's light and evocative prose remains true to the original Nutcracker story, and Frances Tyrell's gorgeous animals and woodland set …

It is Christmas Eve in the forest and bear cubs Clara and Peter have been busy all day helping their parents prepare for the festive night. Finally, it is time to open Grandpa's handmade gifts. There are dancing puppets on strings, colourful tin soldiers and, most splendid of all, a carved nutcracker bear.
When Clara can't sleep that night, she …