The Night Before Christmas [Hardcover]

Clement Clarke Moore (Author), Will Moses (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Like Grandma Moses before him, the beloved Will Moses brings new and joyous life to everyone’s favorite Christmas poem in this, his interpretation of The Night Before Christmas. With his sweeping and wintry landscapes and cozy fireside details, Moses sets just the right scenes for this unforgettable Santa delivering his sleigh-full of presents to an anxiously sleeping household.

The Night Before Christmas was a signature book for Grandma Moses. Readers have long waited for her great grandson’s warm and original rendition. They will be charmed by this edition of the classic tale, so wonderfully full of holiday spirit and Moses whimsy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS Up–Moses continues in the tradition of folk painter Grandma Moses with his rendition of the poem. In the preface, he shares childhood memories about his family's personal copy of the poem that she illustrated. Cozy and quaint oil paintings reflect the quiet beauty of 1800 rural New England. Playful details such as finding the same mouse throughout the book will be fun for children to explore and share. Full spreads interspersed between the verses give striking panoramic views of the sleeping town and the old-fashioned home. The artist's style, echoing the primitive style of his famous great-grandmother, lends itself well to this very traditional version of the Christmas classic. Intended as a gift book, it includes a three-dimensional cardboard cut-out tree ornament of Santa in his sleigh.–Maureen Wade, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In his introduction, Moses recalls the much-beloved version of the poem illustrated by his grandmother, Grandma Moses. He presents his own folk-art interpretation in nostalgic oil paintings: homes are lit by candles; an old-fashioned locomotive chugs past. Spreads alternate between small insets and double-page panoramas and include cutaways of the snug houses, as well as aerial, Santa's-eye views of the quaint, rural town. Particularly charming are small details, such as a mouse's snuggly, sardine-can bed. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (September 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158865379X
• ISBN-13: 978-1588653796
• ASIN: 0399237453
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 11.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clement Clarke Moore was a professor of religion and the author of several scholarly works. What he is most remembered for, however, is his poem "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," later called "The Night Before Christmas," and written as a Christmas gift for his six children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The night before Christmas, October 17, 2007

By 

Roxie A. Reeves (1000 Islands, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Night Before Christmas (Hardcover)

Wonderful book.
I buy my daughter 'The Night Before Christmas' book every year with different illustrators.
The folksy artwork is a nice variation.
Loved reading the personnel reflection of Will Moses' childhood Christmas memories.
The ornament included in the back of the bok was a nice surprise.
I ordered another for my grandson.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice Night Before Christmas Book, December 26, 2007

By 

Justin513ac "Justin" (Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Night Before Christmas (Hardcover)

I bought this as my wife and I didn't have one, she really liked it. Its got nice illustrations and is a good choice.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Moses a delight, January 6, 2008

By 

Linda K. Stakley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Night Before Christmas (Hardcover)

As always, Will Moses (as did his Grama before him) has hit the heart of rural America in his enchanting scenes. Don't forget to look for the full moon in each of his paintings! Silent Night and the Night Before Christmas were no exceptions. We sent one to our friends in Scotland who loved it!