The Night Before Christmas Board Book

Now, Clement C. Moore's classic holiday poem is available in a 24-page board book. The rich, nighttime illustrations provide the perfect complement to the well-loved tale, evoking all the excitement and wonder of this special night. Full-color illustrations. The classic Christmas poem-now available in a board book edition for the youngest child.

Review: A smiling Santa in goggles and aviator helmet speeds up the Christmas Eve delivery system with updated transportation from his Far Northair sleigh. This futuristic-looking vehicle still uses eight reindeer, but additional propulsion is controlled through sophisticated equipment in the covered cockpit (including a built-in beverage maker with choices from hot chocolate to borsht).

This interpretation of Moore's classic poem finds Santa making a delivery to a household with three children in a traditional, suburban neighborhood. The father of the family springs out of bed in a panic in one dramatic spread, with his hand seeming to stretch right off the page toward the reader. A diverse crew of helpers joins Santa on his Christmas Eve flight, with costumed elves from many countries and ethnic groups helping to unload the toys and clean the soot off Santa's red cape, furry pants and pointed boots.

Elves and toys decorate the endpapers and also appear as spot illustrations at the end of the poem's verses, which are attractively framed with bold, red borders on alternating spreads. An interview of St. Nick by illustrator Watson concludes the volume. (Picture book. 3-7) (Kirkus Reviews)