The Night Before Christmas [Hardcover]

Clement C. Moore (Author), Mary Engelbreit (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 21, 2004 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Readers young and old are invited into the enchanting world of Mary Engelbreit in this sparkling edition of Clement C. Moore's classic poem. It is the night before Christmas, in a house so cozy and colorful, so filled with expectation, so dusted with Christmas magic that only this beloved illustrator could have created it. Shhh. A mouse is asleep in its snug den and children are dreaming as sugarplum fairies flutter around their bed. Then there's the jingle of bells. . . .

For this merry celebration of Christmas, Mary Engelbreit has filled every page with bewitching details, rich color, and memorable characters. These include a bevy of mischievous elves, an adorable mouse, and a lovable, bespectacled Santa. The images in Mary's joyous vision will bring discovery and delight to generations of readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Engelbreit's visions of sugarplums translate to a busy-bright patchwork of checks, plaids, paisleys and chintzes in this oversize (11" x 11") volume. Her interpretation of Moore's poem features a cast of rambunctious elves who accompany an exceptionally jolly St. Nick as he leaves assorted old-fashioned candies and toys inside a home decorated in a spectrum of Engelbreit's trademark patterns and prints. Kids-and adult fans of the artist-will enjoy poring over the copious details. All ages.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-The full text of the familiar poem is illustrated in Engelbreit's crisply decorated style. A large trim size allows each highly embellished spread to hold a plethora of detail. From the opening stanza's view of the non-stirring mouse's hole (a cracked teacup is his bed, a potholder his doormat, and a paintbrush is his broom) and throughout the verses, the artist adds lots of elves and ornamentation. Santa is not pictured as "dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot"; he's wearing a checked coat with fur trim and what appear to be leather bowling shoes. He does twinkle a lot, though, and that may be enough for some readers.-S. P.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (September 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060081600
• ISBN-13: 978-0060081607
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,822 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Illustrations December 9, 2004

By apples2apples VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I love the illustrations of Mary Engelbreit, but actually it was our 2 year old son who picked out this book. Hour after hour, day after day, he crawls into our laps and has us read to him. This is his favorite book, which isn't bad because we love it too. The pictures are detailed, full of little surprises, and warm and delightful.

This version of the story has been so beautifully illustrated, I never tire of looking at it. (Mary Engelbreit, Jan Brett, and Tasha Tudor have all done a wonderful job of illustrating their own renditions of this classic tale by Clement Moore.)

We bought the DVD for our son for Christmas, and it's also wonderful. Our son watches it over and over.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book for Your Family. December 16, 2005

By Mia

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband wanted a copy of The Night Before Christmas to read to my daughter. I decided to purchase this version of the book because of the wonderful reviews about the illustrations. The illustrations are bold, colorful and beautiful. My 12 month old daughter's eyes lit up when my husband began reading this book to her. She is mesmerized by the pictures. I would give this book as a gift.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A family heirloom in the making! December 1, 2006

By Erika Sorocco

Format:Hardcover

There are many different printings of Clement C. Moore's THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. However, none is as beautifully illustrated as this edition by Mary Engelbreit. Engelbreit has taken the beloved holiday classic, and put a spin on it all her own. Using bright colors, she has created a winter wonderland that takes us through the home of a little mouse, whose house is decorated with various baubles, from jewelry to food, and even pencil stubs. From there we see various depictions of children sleeping in their beds, sugarplum fairies flitting about as they dream; Jolly Old Saint Nick, accompanied by a slew of elves, as he arrives by sleigh to leave gifts for each little boy and girl within the house, and much more. Readers will be delighted to see that Engelbreit has not forgotten the eight tiny reindeer - from Dasher to Dancer, Prancer to Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donder and Blitzen - each with their own characteristics, from eye color, to fur color, and even to various decorations adorning their antlers.

Clement C. Moore's THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS will always be a classic around the holidays. But now that Mary Engelbreit has decided to embellish the Christmas poem with her illustrations, the poem takes on a whole new life. One of imagination and wonder that will please all readers, as they take in the gorgeous illustrations, and share this classic tale with friends and relatives of all ages. A family heirloom in the making!

Erika Sorocco

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book. October 15, 2003

By Just Another Opinion

Format:Hardcover

I am a huge Engelbreit fan, and I just love this book. Every page is dazzling. My two year old loves it as well; he just gets lost in every illustration. He points to this and that and just can't get enough of just LOOKING. Engelbreit's bright colors and attention to detail just shine in this book. They just don't come any better than this!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Christmas book for the kids! March 10, 2007

By Arthur E. Drobny

Format:Hardcover

Beautiful illustrations. The kids loved this on Christmas eve. It could easily be a heirloom passed down from generation to generation

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars one for our collection December 27, 2005

By A. Spry

Format:Hardcover

This is my favorite version of this poem - we have a few, but this tops them all. It's an easy read (we have some versions which are too wordy) and the illustrations are enchanting. It will be a tradition to read together each year.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and enchanting December 11, 2004

By Dawn Maurice

Format:Hardcover

I wanted to get The Night Before Christmas for my three year old son, who's just starting to really understand about the magic of Christmas this year, and hoping to begin the family tradition of reading this story every Christmas eve before bedtime. When I saw that Mary Engelbreit was the illustrator, I just knew this was the version to get, and I couldn't be happier! The pictures are so beautifully done, my son loves picking out all the little details she's incorporated into each page-he just ooo's and awe's with excitement over the gorgeous pictures! A wonderfully done book with an added enjoyment to an already special Christmas tradition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Night Before Christmas February 8, 2008

By George M. Occhipinti

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Book is so beautifully illustrated, it does the classic poem justice. It made a great "first christmas" gift.