Irish Night Before Christmas, An (The Night Before Christmas Series) [Hardcover]

Sarah Blazek (Author), James Rice (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: The Night Before Christmas Series

Father Christmas, with his Irish eyes twinkling, ushers in his seven elves and thus begins this Irish tale.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Round Christmastime, things are a little different on the Emerald Isle. Instead of logs thrown onto the fire, we find turf blazing bright. Instead of cold eggnog spiced just right, the mother and father are enjoying their stout. You'll find no Donner or Cupid or Blitzen, but Ould Neddy the donkey and his small cart. Father Christmas with his Irish eyes twinkling, ushers in his seven elves and thus begins the wondrous An Irish Night Before Christmas.

This humorous tale in the same vein as the famous Cajun Night Before Christmas is the Irish version of Father Christmas's yearly visit. Told in delightful brogue, it will have everyone wishing "Nollaig sona agut!" (Merry Christmas to you!)

Sarah Kirwan Blazek was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and retains dual citizenship in Ireland and the U.S. She currently teaches at Sacred Heart Academy and makes her home in Chicago, Illinois. -- From the Publisher

At Christmas in Ireland the atmosphere is different: turf instead of logs are burned, parents enjoy stout, and Ould Neddy the donkey and his cart replace Santa Claus. This fun story is presented in simple rhyme with Irish inflections which will require adult assistance, but it's a winner anyway. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Inside Flap

"An Emerald Isle version of the perennial poem." -New Orleans Times-Picayune "This cute children's book celebrates both the universality of spiritual experiences and the delights of discovering cultural differences." -New York Daily News 'Round Christmastime, things are a little different on the Emerald Isle. Instead of logs thrown onto the fire, we find turf blazing bright. Instead of cold eggnog spiced just right, the mother and father are enjoying their stout. You'll find no Donner or Cupid or Blitzen, but Ould Neddy the donkey and his small cart. Father Christmas with his Irish eyes twinkling ushers in his seven elves, and thus begins the wondrous Irish Night Before Christmas. This humorous tale, in the same vein as the famous Cajun Night Before Christmas, is the Irish version of Father Christmas's yearly visit. Told in delightful brogue, it will have everyone wishing "Nollaig sona agut!'' (Merry Christmas to you!) Sarah Kirwan Blazek was born in county Wexford, Ireland, and retains dual citizenship in Ireland and the U.S. She is also the author of An Irish Hallowe'en and A Leprechaun's St. Patrick's Day. A retired elementary-school teacher, Ms. Blazek lives in Diamondhead, Mississippi. Widely acclaimed as the South's leading illustrator of juvenile books, James Rice is the illustrator and/or author of over sixty titles with over 1.6 million copies in print. Rice was born on a farm in Coleman County, Texas, in 1934. He graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Texas, a master of fine arts degree from Stephen F. Austin University, and a master of arts degree in education from Howard Payne College. He taught art and music at both the high-school and college levels and was a favorite speaker at schools, nursing homes, and community centers across the country. Mr. Rice moved to Hico, Texas, in 1980, where he died in 2004.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (April 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565540867
• ISBN-13: 978-1565540866
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Humorous

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Break out the Brogue!!, August 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Irish Night Before Christmas, An (The Night Before Christmas Series) (Hardcover)

If you can muster up a good Irish brogue and delight in the Irish folklore, you and your Irish friends & family will truly enjoy this book at Christmas time. A silly account of those troublesome Irish elves trying to help out Father Christmas. Enjoy! Nollaig Sona Agut!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nollaig Hona Guit--Merry Christmas to you in Irish, December 13, 2005

By 

Machusla Maghee "Seanahie" (USA/Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irish Night Before Christmas, An (The Night Before Christmas Series) (Hardcover)

I was attending a small Christmas party with fellow Irish speakers, when during the feastivities a seanahie (storyteller)read An Irish night before Christmas. He brought back my youth in Ireland with Father Christmas. He read the story as if we were youngsters again, showing us the pictures on each page. We slowly formed a storytelling circle and enjoyed every word and picture. This book is for all who want to relive their youth at the most childish time of the year. If you pass on this book you will be forever in the dark about Father Christmas (Santa Claus)in Ireland.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Irish twist on a classic!, December 13, 2005

By 

Mom of two (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irish Night Before Christmas, An (The Night Before Christmas Series) (Hardcover)

We love this book. We always enjoy changing the words to familiar songs and rhymes, and this book does just that! A must have for anyone who loves being Irish!