The Night Before Christmas

by Clement C Moore (Author) Antonio Javier Caparo (Illustrator)

The Night Before Christmas
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Since it was first published nearly 200 years ago "The Night Before Christmas" has enchanted readers young and old with the story of St. Nicholas landing on a snowy roof, climbing down the chimney, and filling all the stockings with gifts before riding off in his sleigh, wishing "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

This classic poem is now accompanied by stunning, richly detailed illustrations from Antonio Caparo, illustrator of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rudolph Shines Again. This beautiful picture book is the perfect Christmas gift.
Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Publishers Weekly

Caparo follows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rudolph Shines Again with a handsome interpretation of Moore's classic holiday poem that brings it into the present day. In an urban neighborhood of townhouses, it's a scruffy-haired young dad in a cardigan who leaps out of bed and, after putting on dark-framed eyeglasses, spots Santa soaring overhead. The text of the poem is unchanged, which means that Caparo supplies this Santa with a pipe to smoke (he also gives him a pair of red, Converse-style high tops in lieu of boots). Along with the contemporary details Caparo brings to this retelling, the antics of the family's pets (and a pair of mice) add to the fun. The modern family that features in Caparo's sumptuous, lifelike images may help some readers connect to the sometimes-remote language of the original--he successfully gives this poem a fresh and stylish spin while reaffirming its timelessness. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Moore's beloved Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" receives new treatment from illustrator Caparo. The house is quiet and everyone sound asleep when the father of the family wakes to a commotion and runs to investigate. Lo and behold, St. Nick and his retinue of reindeer are on the roof. Santa pops down the chimney, stuffs stockings as he puffs on a pipe, and exits via chimney as quickly as he arrived, exclaiming, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" Caparo's digital paintings capture the nighttime stillness of the house in plums and yellows; the winter landscape is rendered in icy blues and swirling snow. The action is driven by the father, agape with wonder, his bright-eyed Jack Russell terrier, and Santa, of course. St. Nick's arrival with Blitzen et al. is the dramatic highlight, and Santa's footwear gets an update with jaunty red high-tops. This is a solid, though not particularly inventive take, on a Christmas classic that has been reinterpreted ad infinitum. Young readers will appreciate the lush illustrations and Santa's cheeky jollity. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries in need of fresh holiday content.--Shanna Kim, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534400856
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little Simon
Publication date
September 19, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV007000 - Juvenile Fiction | Classics
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV017010 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Christmas & Advent
Library of Congress categories
-

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