Customer Reviews

The Night Before Christmas

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A wonderfully illustrated version of the magical story by Clement Moore. This book is a must have for every family during the holiday season. I have memorized my version and will recite to my 22 grandchildren on Christmas Eve. Happy holidays and love to all.

I bought this because I wanted a book with vibrant illustrations for my 7 month old daughter's first Christmas. Fortunately, she is too young to recognize it, but both my mother and I find the illustrations scary.

Several of the pictures of Santa show him wide-eyed and deranged looking. Hardly the benevolent figure of childhood. The reindeer have rolling eyes that make the look like they have a serious case of mad cow disease. I find them really disturbing.

Beyond that, to me, the illustrations are more about the father of the story than the magic of Christmas. Things first turn when what is supposed to be an old black and white picture of a little boy dressed as a cowboy appears in the background of one of the illustrations.

The next page shows Santa holding the picture and the father of the story pointing at himself - clearly indicating the picture is him as a child.

In subsequent illustrations, Santa leaves the man with a small cowboy figurine.

Perhaps the illustrator was trying to fulfill his own feeling about Christmas and toys of youth or toys desired but never received.

Had I seen these illustrations before purchasing, I never would have bought this book, and I plan on replacing it at first opportunity to something that is more child friendly.

I ordered this to read to my son on Christmas Eve. I actually had a different book of the same story in my cart and reading thru the reviews realized it was a mini-book. This book is not big, but it's not little either. Very pleased with the book. The illistrations are wonderful and I love the poem. Very sturdy board book.

I was looking for a copy of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" for my son's first christmas. As a child, I remember reading the story every christmas eve and wanted to start this tradition with my own family. There are so many versions out there, I didn't much care which one I got as long as the pictures were nice. I decided on this version because it is a board book which will be much easier for chubby little fingers to grab, and more durable than thin paper pages.

This version is illustrated by Bruce Whately (some of the other reviews listed seem to be referring to a Mary Englebreit version). Bruce Whately's illustrations are absolutely wonderful! They are so realistic looking - you expect the reindeer to literally jump off the page! The pictures are drawn as if they were filmed from a camera - some arial shots, close ups, and the facial expressions on Santa and the reindeer are precious. As soon as the book came in the mail, and I saw the illustration on the cover, I was drawn to look inside. I stood there at the front door and looked at every page. I knew I couldn't wait until christmas eve to share this with my son. I read it to him that very night. Now I notice that, each time I read the story I see different details I had missed the previous time. I have so much fun pointing out all the little details to my son that sometimes we just look at pictures and don't even read the story (notice the sleeping mom and baby mouse on the first page!)

I immediately went on line and purchased Whatey's "Here Comes Santa Clause". I can't wait to get it and see more of his wonderful work!

We have an inexpensive paperback version (see our reviews) of this classic poem, and we said that's enough for us. That was before we looked through this beautifully illustrated (by Bruce Whatley) edition of The Night Before Christmas.

The lyrics are the same, from book to book, but the fanciful illustrations in this one are enough to engage adults and children as they read this book together.

The perfect gift for any family whose Christmas tradition includes reading this classic!

The illustrations in this book are spectacular! Any child or adult would be captivated by the imagery within the pages of this timeless tale. This book brings Santa Claus and his eight tiny reindeer to life, through vibrant color and creativity.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to bring back the memories of childhood or make new family traditions by reading this poem to their little ones.

A gloriously illustrated version of the classic, The Night Before Christmas. Anyone wanting to purchase another copy of this title or even a family copy to read on Christmas Eve would not go wrong to pick up Whatley's illustrated copy. A beautiful rendition sure to become a favorite.

After reading my two-year-old daughter this book, I was heartbroken to hear her say, "I no like Santa." She asked me to never read it again because she thought the characters and the reindeer were scary. I don't blame her. The reindeer are wild-eyed and this version of Santa has a glimmer in his eye that's more mischievous than joyful. He's actually creepy in some of the spreads. This Santa looks like he's breaking and entering when he's about to go down a chimney. I'm not kidding! The illustrations also have a side story that's unrelated to the verse -- something about a gift for the father from his childhood or something? Anyway, if I could do it over, I would have spent more for a book featuring that jovial, friendly Santa that I've come to associate with Christmas. Please learn from my $6.99 mistake.

These illustrations are the best ever for The Night Before Christmas...Stunning even! A worthy heirloom Christmas Book. The illustrations cover both sides of the page for a large panoramic view seldom seen in other books...

I own several copies of this classic poem, and this little book both compells me and disturbs me. The father who tells the story meets Santa, who presents him with a miniature cowboy, obviously something he had wanted as a boy. The father's story is shown to be very cute. What stands out, of course, are the illustrations. They are dramatic in the artist's sharp use of perspective and close-ups, the reindeer looking spirited and excited. I must admit to being a little bothered by at least two of the pictures of Santa, which give him a kind of lunatic, wild-eyed glare. The eyes just look a little too manic. On the whole I like it, but still prefer my copy from my own childhood, which is still with me after all these many years.