The Night Before Christmas [Hardcover]

Clement Clarke Moore (Author), Tasha Tudor (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore wrote The Night before Christmas for his own children. Now, of course, his poem is read aloud to children around the world who are anticipating Santa's arrival.

This Christmas Eve tradition calls for the treat of Julie Downing's wondrous visual rendition. Her jewel-toned watercolors, vibrant with rich Victorian detail, contain little surprises all along the way. Both children and grown-ups will respond to the luminous images -- the waiting tree, the astonished narrator, jolly Santa and his reindeer, and even the mouse -- as they discover the sparkling humor of a holiday favorite.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers 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.
- planet." An eccentric dose of holiday cheer. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A cozy version of the poem in which the creatures that are stirring become the focus of the Christmas Eve activities. Tudor paints interior and exterior scenes of a Vermont farm brimming with wild and domestic life. When a tiny, elflike St. Nick appears, the family's cat and dogs join a couple of barn owls in a celebration with music, presents, and dancing. The man of the house's presence is minimal. This animal romp is pictured in glowing detailed watercolors that are placed on each page like miniatures set against starlit night backgrounds. This version will have particular appeal for one-on-one sharing in homes where pets have a special place.-A.C.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689813759
• ISBN-13: 978-0689813757
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,679,383 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

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great illustrations, December 16, 1999

By 

Frank (New York) - See all my reviews

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

The poem is legendary of course but what my children (3 and 6) love is how Tasha Tudor brings the story to life. Every drawing has so many things going on that they find new ones every time we read it. By far their favorite Chistmas book.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Tasha Tudor, October 17, 2001

By 

mimi "mimi" (North Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

I discovered this book 31 years ago, for my daughter and it is still loved by all the family. The illustrations are wonderful, warm, charming and delightful and bring a special meaning to the story. We still read it to all the young children on Christmas Eve and for adults we read the story and pass a grab bag gift every time the word THE is mentioned. It would not be Christmas without this book. It is magical.

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Night Before Christmas, Illustrated by Tasha Tudor, January 1, 2000

By 

Margaret DuMont (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

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

This is a beautifully illustrated version of the Christmas classic. Adults as well as children will be fascinated by the detailed drawings, which show animals as well as children and adults experiencing the wonder of Christmas.