Customer Reviews

The Night Before Christmas

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have several versions of this wonderful old tale---even those saved from my own childhood. But when I saw this for sale at Union Station, I had to have it. The illustrations are breathtaking! Look for the shadows that Mr Spirin, a prize winning Russian artist, paints into his scenes. Have you ever seen the underneath of Santa's richy embellished sleigh as it is "parked" on a rooftop? Look for the cats who are also coming downstairs to "see what was the matter". My kids are teens now, but I bought it for them for when they have kids. It is the very essence of the Spirit of Santa's yearly wintertime journey!

Ages 4-8 will relish a new spin on Clement Clarke Moore's classic, which uses Gennady Spirin's lovely, artistic panels to illustrate the simple holiday classic. While the story's been reprinted hundreds of times so undoubtedly you have at least one version in your library, this NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS provides some classic, lovely embellishments perfect for libraries seeking something fresh and appealing.

Sticking closely to the text as originally published, Spirin retells the familiar old poem that we all know and love. The use of "Dunder and Blixem" instead of "Donder" or "Donner" and "Blitzen" may be strange for some people since the newer names are much more familiar in popular culture. But otherwise, the book is what you remember.

The illustrations are very beautiful and intricate. Each page is really a work of art. Besides the main pictures, there are also emblems on every other page. These are small, Christmas-themed designs that have all sorts of fun detail.

My only gripe is that the poem is supposed to be the recounting of Santa's visit by the family's patriarch, but the drawings clearly show a young boy watching Santa with wonder. The disconnect is lost on the children reading the story, I'm sure, but I found it a perpetuation of an incorrect reinterpretation of the poem.

Even still, so what? The story is classic, the drawings are beautiful, and the book binding is sturdy. You won't go wrong with this version of The Night Before Christmas.

Generally I was pleased with this book. However, the illustrations show a young boy observing Santa, whereas the poem's text clearly indicates that the story is written from the perspective of the father of the house.

While this book features fabulous artwork, I was disappointed that the pictures inside the book are not as bright and colorful as the cover (and as I expected).