This volume provides an analysis of stories' plot structures and their psychological meanings, attempting to distill all of storytelling down to a few archetypes. Drawing on a vast array of examples, from Proust to detective stories, from the Marquis de Sade to E.T., the author leads readers through the changes in the nature of storytelling over the past 200 years, and why so many stories have 'lost the plot' by losing touch with their underlying...

Relates the story of the popular ballet, in which a little girl travels with the Nutcracker Prince to the Land of Sweets.

"For the first time, this beloved holiday story is told based on George Balanchine's quintessential production. The storyline mimics the choreography of the famous ballet and the illustrations are inspired by the backdrops and scenery from the actual New York City Ballet production"--

"A beautiful swan held captive by a curse...A young prince who falls in love with her...And an evil sorceress determined to keep them apart...So sets the stage for the stunning and dramatic story of Swan Lake, a suspenseful tale of loyalty, deceit, and ultimately unfailing love. From the moonlight dances with swans to the twirling, whirling of the Swan Queen and her prince, this is the ultimate class tale reimagined by the New York City Ballet and...

Retells the story of Verdi's opera in which the love of the enslaved Ethiopian princess for an Egyptian general brings tragedy to all involved.

A prince's love for a swan queen overcomes an evil sorcerer's spell in this fairy tale adaptation of the classic ballet.

After rescuing her Christmas nutcracker from an army of angry toys, Marie and her brother are rewarded by the nutcracker, now a prince, with a fantastic nighttime journey to a realm of dancing fairies, beautiful palaces, and wonderful things to eat.