The Soldiers' Night Before Christmas (Big Little Golden Book) [Hardcover]

Christine Ford (Author), Trish Holland (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 12, 2006 | Age Range: 3 - 7 years | Series: Big Little Golden Book

"'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the base
Only sentries were stirring--they guarded the place.
The soldiers were sleeping and snoring away
As they dreamed of 'back home' on good Christmas Day..."

One Christmas Eve at a military barracks in the Middle East, some homesick soldiers are paid a visit by Sergeant McClaus, the Santa of Soldiers. This lively and poignant tale is inspired by Clement C. Moore's classic yuletide poem.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–This version of the Clement Moore poem takes place on a U.S. Army base in the desert. The narrator wakes up when he hears a crash, and sees a Blackhawk helicopter giving the all clear to nine Humvees and a jeep, all loaded with gifts. Sergeant McClaus calls the drivers by name: Now, Cohen! Mendoza! Woslowski! McCord! Now, Li! Watts! Donetti! And Specialist Ford! When the caravan leaves, the sergeant calls out, HAPPY CHRISTMAS, BRAVE SOLDIERS! MAY PEACE COME TO ALL! Cartoon illustrations help to make this a lighthearted, even humorous, retelling that will probably be most appreciated by military families who already know the original version.–Virginia Walter, University of California, Los Angeles
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Trish Holland, originally from Jackson, MI, wrote LASSO THE MOON, a Little Golden Book that pubbed in May, 2005.

This is Christine Ford's third book. Her picture book, SNOW, was published in 1999 by HarperCollins. Her novel, SCOUT, will be published by Delacorte in Spring, 2006. Ms. Ford grew up in Pittsfield, MA. The author lives in Arlington, TX.

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375837957
• ISBN-13: 978-0375837951
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.3 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT for kids with deployed parents! December 5, 2006

By C. Riostirado

Format:Hardcover

I was given this book as a gift for my daughter and we just LOVE it!! She calls it her "Papi" book. My husband is currently deployed for the second time to Iraq, and this time our 3 year old realizes he is gone, so with this book it gives her a different insite about what Christmas is for him and that Santa wont forget him while he is there!! I have reccomended this to all of my friends that are in the military with kids and I even have it up on our Family Readiness Group website so everyone can find out about it!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it December 27, 2009

By S. Seger

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband is a former Marine, and he saw this book and we had to get it for our first born. As for the people "complaining" about the smoke encircling his head like a wreath... Grow up, it's a book not an instruction manual to your children.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME January 19, 2007

By Army Wife

Format:Hardcover

AWESOME book. My husband is currently serving in Iraq and it was a very difficult Christmas for all of us. I bought multiple copies of the book. I kept one for myself, each of my children have one and I sent 2 copies to Iraq for my husband to share with his fellow soldiers. We all loved the book. I read it to my 12 and 13 year old children on Cristmas Eve before they went to bed and it helped bring us together. My husband was a little like SGT McClaus for his section. thank you for once again putting out another wonderful book.