The Night Before Christmas

( 168 )

Overview

'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.

These familiar words have never before been illustrated with such style. Magnificent paintings by American artist Richard Jesse Watson infuse traditional images with pizzazz and flair. From cozy ...
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More About This Book

Overview

'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.

These familiar words have never before been illustrated with such style. Magnificent paintings by American artist Richard Jesse Watson infuse traditional images with pizzazz and flair. From cozy interiors to snowy landscapes, each scene is packed with the details of Christmas. Watch for the remarkable cast of elves who populate these pages. Best of all, see Santa Claus himself as you've never seen him before, complete with an exclusive interview.

Spilling over with all the joy and generosity of the season, here is an edition of Clement C. Moore's classic Christmas poem that is perfect for families of today. Ho! Ho! Ho!

The illustrator's Vermont farmhouse and her pets are featured in the illustrations of this well-known poem about an important Christmas Eve visitor.

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Folk artist and preacher Finster infuses his interpretation of the traditional holiday poem with his characteristic evangelical verve. Patterned with what look to be brush doodlings, his surreal compositions create a psychedelic party mood that contrasts sharply with the rather staid verse. Each spread is framed by a running word-border of such Finster preachings as "I am trying to get people back to God before the end of the earths [sic] planet." An eccentric dose of holiday cheer. All ages. (Oct.)
Publishers Weekly
Spirin's (The Tale of the Firebird) luxurious watercolor-and-colored pencil compositions whisk readers to what looks like a snowy New England village in the 1800s for his graceful reimagining of Moore's poem. He renders every chimney, windowpane and bare tree branch with crisp style and care; Saint Nick is effortlessly jolly, donning blue boots with his traditional red fur garb. Each passage opens with a tiny spot illustration, accompanied by a vertical border piece on the side, shaped like a grandfather clock or a bookmark and depicting some village scenery. Youngsters will be pleased that the artist breaks with tradition, casting the narrator as a boy (instead of the father). An edition sure to be cherished, especially by Spirin fans and art lovers. All ages. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Publishers Weekly
Like Whatley (see above), Tudor also whisks readers to New England, this time to a quiet spot in early-19th-century Vermont. Her cozy, nostalgic watercolor scenes, often lit by candle or roaring fire, are viewed as if through a large oval peephole. Loose ink lines and slightly hazy figures succeed in creating an aura of holiday fantasy. A spunky, elfin Saint Nicholas, a menagerie of perky pets (including the corgis, of course) and a very busy family of mice partying beneath the floorboards add a sense of fun. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
Santa always knows just the perfect present, and so it is in Whatley's unusual interpretation of this classic Christmas poem. Santa spies a photograph of a boy dressed as a cowboy. The man indicates to Santa that it is a picture of himself, and when he was a child, he dreamed of being a cowboy. Santa presents him with a cowboy figure that appears to be of more recent vintage and looks somewhat like a cross between Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Unusual angles and interesting perspectives abound in the illustrations. The reindeer are memorable for their expressions, and St. Nick is a kindly-looking fellow. This is the board book version of a picture book published in 1999. 2004 (orig. 1999), HarperFestival/HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 5.
—Sharon Salluzzo
Children's Literature
In this traditional Christmas poem, the pictures show Santa driving a space ship, although he still has reindeer. The dashboard of the sleigh has various dials that read: NITROUS GAMA E-INJECT, CONTINENT, HOT CHOCOLATE, and SPACE COMPRESS. In the illustration for "He was dressed all in fur," Santa wears white furry trousers. Various elves carry a plastic tape dispenser, dog milk bone, an origami stork, and use a vacuum cleaner. The artist has an interview with St. Nick in which the question of how Santa is able to distribute all the presents in one night is answered, "the sleigh is able to expand the moment between ‘tick' and ‘tock' on Christmas Eve." Children and their parents will enjoy the artist's humorous interpretation of this old favorite.
Children's Literature
The book isn't new, but the illustrations are. Clement C. Moore's classic book describing Santa's night visit delivering toys to good boys and girls is as delightful today as it was when first published in the 1800s. The rhymes, descriptive words, the reindeer with endearing names and Santa's helpers hurrying to finish the toys in time for delivery still delight young readers and adults alike. The description of Santa will linger in a child's mind as he waits for sleep. His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. It is a story that never grows old, but seems quite new through an illustrator's creative rendition. Illustrator Watson has done a wonderful job interpreting Moore's The Night Before Christmas. The drawings are clear, crisp and life-like. The colors are vivid and sharp and pleasing to the eye. The pictures jump out at the reader; they are so full of action. And Santa's 21st century sleigh is an up-to-date marvel that not only delivers toys, but at the touch of a button will serve up a cup of hot chocolate, espresso and milk for a weary Santa Claus. The elves in the front and back of the book are charming, whimsical visions of wonder. Lastly, the book cover is a close-up rendering of a jolly, red-cheeked, bearded Santa wearing flying goggles and headgear. "The Night Before Christmas" is a lovely tale, but Watson's illustrations are a feast for the eyes. Back material includes a clever Q & A two-pager between St. Nick and Watson. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi
Children's Literature
An old-fashioned apprearance only begins to describe Rand's full color illustrations for this well-known and beloved Christmas poem. There are many eye-catching details to observe. There is a clean fireplace ready for Santa's descent down the chimney, but there is also a bookcase full of books on the right-hand side and a tree decorated with candles and paper chains. Lovely details accompany lines of the text. The children are warm and snug under their colorful quilts, Papa's toes are curled up as he looks out the window, the reindeer are attired in Nordic patterns, and Santa rides in a red sleigh that is covered with gold stars. With his twinkly eyes, this is the friendliest of Santas. Yet, with all the lovely details, the pictures are still simple and clean enough for toddlers and preschoolers to follow along. Originally published as a picture book, this traditional version is now appropriately available as a board book. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
School Library Journal
K-Gr 5 No nostalgia here! Marshall's cartoon-like illustrations for Moore's well-known and much-loved poem are thoroughly modern, often very funny and typical of the artist. A cozy Cape Cod house sits in the snow with the unstirring mouse nestled in the bright green wreath on its door. Plump dogs, cats, a chicken (and even a mouse) abound in the comfortably cluttered house in which stockings are hung and people sleep. The animals join Papa as he watches the arrival of the plump old elf down the road and up to the roof. After his unceremonious entrance but before his gift distribution, St. Nick (in his cowboy boots with stars) poses for a photograph taken by the mouse and raids the refrigerator with his reindeer hungrily looking on. As St. Nick's final wish for a happy Christmas is exclaimed, the animals settle down again amid the bountiful and brightly decorated packages. Although the format is predictable (one page of text next to a one-page illustration), this is a fresh look at an old narrative. It may not appeal to everyone, but should cause all (except perhaps Scrooges) to chuckle. Maria B. Salvadore , District of Columbia Public Library
Carolyn Phelan
Rand illustrates Moore's famous poem in a large-format picture book that showcases his colorful paintings in a series of double-page spreads. Even children in the back row of a story-time group will get the full effect of the moonlit New England snowscapes and cozy, period interiors. Not a stretch for Rand, but he's comfortably in his stride here, and his fans will find plenty to like. In fact, almost anyone looking for a traditional, soft-focus interpretation of this Christmas favorite will find it an appealing picture book.
Kirkus Reviews
A most unusual title page sets the magical tone for this distinctive interpretation of Moore's classic Christmas poem. A full moon on the left-hand page encloses the author and illustrator information, with the volume's title spelled out across the bottom of the spread by the twisted branches of snow-topped trees. Santa and his reindeer soar overhead all the way to the edge of the right-hand page, leading the reader right into the story. The narrator of this version is a wide-eyed young boy who peers out the window in amazement and then creeps down the stairs to meet St. Nicholas as he fills the stockings. Spirin's sumptuous illustrations with touches of gold have a subtle glow provided by firelight or moonlight, with striking shadows courtesy of the full moon. A wordless spread in the center of the volume offers a dramatic pause with a full view of the sleigh and the reindeer in flight, golden sleigh bells glistening. The Victorian setting is complemented by an old-fashioned typeface and a tall, painted clock noting the midnight hour next to each verse of the poem. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-7)
From the Publisher

"Hague’s jolly illustrations and some ingenious paper engineering send Santa across the rooftops, up the chimney, and into the sky in a Christmas rendition that is sure to appeal." --Booklist
From Barnes & Noble
"'Twas the night before Christmas…" is perhaps the best-known line of holiday poetry ever written. This children's edition is beautifully illustrated by noted artist Leonard Weisgard and is sure to bring "visions of sugar-plums" to your child's dreams.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062089441
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 9/27/2011
  • Pages: 40
  • Sales rank: 222313
  • Age range: 4 - 8 Years
  • Product dimensions: 10.20 (w) x 10.20 (h) x 0.30 (d)

Meet the Author

James Rice, in his long, distinguished career as an author and illustrator, has produced fifty-plus children’s books, among them illustrations for an addition to the Night Before Christmas series, Gullah Night Before Christmas. With more than a million and a half copies of his books in print, he ranks among the nation’s best-selling creators of children’s books.
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Read an Excerpt

'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas
soon would be there.

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 168 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(71)

4 Star

(23)

3 Star

(27)

2 Star

(21)

1 Star

(26)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 169 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    TheNightBeforeChristmas Illustrated by Margaret Evans Price

    A WONDERFUL book featuring charming pictures illustrated by a prolific children's illustrator. These books take you to 1917 when Mrs Price (Married to the Price of Fisher Price East Aurora, NY) created delightful pictures for children's books. Very nostalgic and retro a great gift for the grand kids!

    28 out of 29 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Dec 11 00:00:00 EST 2011

    These reviews are for different books with same title

    There are several books with the title "The Night Before Christmas" and the reviews for each book seem to be lumped together. That appears to be reason why the reviews under a given version of this book make reference to different illustrators.

    For the "Read to me" version of the book that is read by Lisa Scott and illustrated by Marlene Moore, there are a few differences in this story from what I am familiar with. This is ok, but the name given to one of the reindeers, "Donder", and the start of the quote in the last sentence, "Happy Christmas", left me raising an eyebrow and a puzzled look.

    It is a nicely read and illustrated book, but I am probably going to find the version of the book that I am familiar with and read that to my kids.

    12 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Dec 24 00:00:00 EST 2007

    Book Too Small

    The description of the book listed it as being a full size picture book, but it is actually half the size. It was not at all what I had expected.

    10 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Wed Feb 25 00:00:00 EST 2009

    this book

    This book has great illustrations...very colorful and fun.

    8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Nov 29 00:00:00 EST 2006

    Magical Edition of a Favorite Holiday Story!!!

    This is an excellent version of The Night Before Christmas. Delightful illustrations bring humour and new life into an old story. A version appealing to men and women - includes Santa in flight cap and rocket-like sleigh and elves of every personality, from mountain climbers to folkdancers..truly a gem. Great for holiday gifts!

    7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2000

    Clement C. Moore

    I belive Clement Moore is very imaginitive in the way he wrote about Santa and his reindeer. He saw it as if he saw Santa Claus himself.I have loved the poem since I was little. My grandmother always reads it to us on Christmas Eve.

    7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Df

    Santa is fake im 9 but this book made me think even if he is fake i will always love him because of of this book

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Best Illustrations

    Best illustrations out of all of the versions out there. Highly recommend!!

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Dec 23 00:00:00 EST 2011

    This is so cool

    This book is good for Christmas

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Dec 03 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Gail- this is NOT Tomie dePaola

    Why would you write a reviw about the book and not even know who the illustrator is? DUH!

    4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Perfect for your childs first Christmas book!

    Illustrations are AMAZING! Perfect for your child and/or a gift....absolutely adorable, wonderful book to own.

    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Feb 14 00:00:00 EST 2010

    A Christmas Classic for Children

    This most beautifully illustrated version of The Night Before Christmas with the classic text is a keepsake, even soft bound.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Dec 10 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Beautiful book

    Loved Marlene Moore's illustrations and Lisa Scott's voice. Both perfect for a kid's read aloud ebook.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Thu Oct 28 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    more from this reviewer

    A CHRISTMAS TREASURE

    Who could resist a book illustrated by Tomie dePaola? Certainly not anyone at our house. Through the years his name on a cover draws us as few other children's book illustrators do. He received the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure - how appropriate! For so many parents and youngsters he is, indeed, a living treasure. His other honors include the Caldecott Honor Award and the Newbery Honor Award. Today reproductions of art from his books are found in many galleries.

    This traditional Christmas story comes to life once again thanks to Mr. dePaola. He has set the story in New Hampshire circa 1840, and found inspiration for the page borders from designs for New England quilts (some from his personal collection).

    It's wonderful to have this sturdy board book edition to be enjoyed over and over again by young eyes and hands. It's a generous size so the art work can be fully appreciated - from the toy soldier peeping out of Santa's pack to the cat snoozing on the hearth.

    Mr. dePaola has been published for some 40 years, and we're hoping for 40 more.

    - Gail Cooke

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sat Jan 16 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Timeless

    The children insist on hearing it again and again.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2012

    There are so many editions of this book that the reviewing proce

    There are so many editions of this book that the reviewing process becomes almost meaningless. The poem is pretty much the same endearing sentimental tale many of us grew up with
    , but the illustrations vary with. The Regan illustrations are appealing but not as bright and colorful as children might prefer. The Rand illustrations are lighter and brighter and therefore more appealing.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Dec 13 00:00:00 EST 2012

    This book is old but good

    This book is awsome i love pld storys thay are so good and thay explan more than newer books new books just state the oveas and say. THE END!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Nov 04 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    The amazing book of today

    I think that this is an amazing book for children and that every parent out there needs to get this vook for their children and most of all just enjoy all the time you have with your children cuz when you're old they never come back

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Feb 17 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Abridged

    Lovely illustrations, but why shortened?

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Jan 16 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Best Book ever!!

    Love reading it to the Grand kids Christmas eve!!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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