Christmas eve is the most magical night of the year, when the house is scented with wood smoke and spices, and there are secrets under every bed! Snow whispers down like feathers and every child waits, breathless, for the curtain to rise on Christmas day . . . And for one little girl, this Christmas eve is more magical than any before. When the clock strikes midnight, her new nutcracker doll comes to life and leads her through battle with the wicked Mouse King and his troops all the way to the Kingdom of Sweets. From award-winning artist, Jane Ray, comes a beautiful contemporary gift edition of this best-loved Christmas ballet story.