'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas [Hardcover]

Anonymus (Author), Matt Tavares (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Dramatic, authentically rendered monochrome illustrations, accented with gold foil, bring a Christmas classic to life.

Once upon a time, children imagined St. Nicholas as a stern, skinny bishop who was as likely to dole out discipline as Christmas presents. But thanks to the anonymous publication of the poem "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" in the TROY SENTINEL in 1823, a plumper, merrier St. Nick was born, transformed into the sleigh-riding, chimney-diving, jolly old elf we now call Santa Claus.

This immensely popular, hugely influential poem - better known by its first line, " ’Twas the night before Christmas" - now gets its just treatment as an American icon. Featuring gorgeous monochrome illustrations that are painstakingly true to pre-Victorian times, this definitive edition reflects the original spelling and punctuation - and is published anonymously, just as it was in 1823, in keeping with the controversy over who really wrote this marvelous work.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What Tavares's (Zachary's Ball) monochrome art for this famous poem may lack in seasonal palette, it more than makes up for in authenticity. The artist pays homage to the original text, incorporating the spellings and phrasings of 1823, the year in which the verse first appeared in a Troy, N.Y., newspaper. Stark yet lushly textured pencil drawings, recalling the work of Chris Van Allsburg, capture the mystery, surprise and anticipation of what many children consider the most magical night of the year. The finely wrought portraits and shadowy, snow-covered Victorian setting will enchant. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. A search on Amazon for "Night before Christmas" turns up a total of 216 hits, with versions from Rugrats to Cajun to a series that goes state by state. This handsome new edition with evocative pencil illustrations will satisfy those looking for a low-key, very traditional treatment of the old Christmas rhyme. Tavares says in an introduction that he used the exact version of the poem as it was first published, and in keeping with the work's original place and time, the house is filled with Dickensian-era detail. The paper's texture comes through to give the illustrations a tactile feeling, and the use of light shining from clear directions and the unusual perspectives are reminiscent of Chris Van Allsburg's pencil work. Although not a must-buy, this is a fine choice for libraries needing another version of the classic story. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763615854
• ISBN-13: 978-0763615857
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 0.4 x 11.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,091,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars magical, October 16, 2006

By 

C. Brooks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas (Hardcover)

My mother used to read me this poem every christmas eve which became a magical tradition. The book was misplaced in a move and my mother and i have not read it since I was young. So I ordered this version for her christmas this year and when it arrived I was more than pleased. The book is stunning in more ways than one, and the artwork really shows how magical and heartwarming the story is. I shall give it to my mother on christmas eve and I know she will treasure it.. as will my kids and there kids after them. This book without a doubt will become an heirloom. Wether you are looking for a new copy or buying twas the night before christmas for the first time, I highly recommend this version. Enjoy.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful artwork makes the story come to life, October 27, 2005

By 

Joe'sMom (Ayer, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas (Hardcover)

In our house, while we read the story of "The Night Before Christmas" several times over the holiday season, we have a special tradition to read it with my son on Christmas Eve just before bed. We own several versions of this story, from picture books, to pop-ups, to sesame street characters, but this version is the one we read on Christmas Eve.

The pencil drawings are beautifully detailed, and the combination of the artwork applied to the original text of the poem, really give the story back some of it's old world charm. Even the size and texture of the book (Oversized hardcover with fabric-like binding) give it the feel of tradition.

Definitely worth adding this version of a classic story to your holiday library.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Gorgeous artwork!, December 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas (Hardcover)

This artist's pencilwork is stunning! If you don't have a version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," make sure this is the one you buy. The pencil drawings are absolutely luminous and bring a new element to the story. Even if you have several versions of this classic story, this version is a must have!