The Night Before Christmas - Hardcover

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)

No poem better expresses the magic and excitement of Christmas Eve than Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas." Now, acclaimed illustrator Bruce Whatley has brought this favorite poem to life with stunning illustrations that perfectly capture all the joy of the Christmas holiday season. The snowy New England landscapes, the eight flying reindeer, and Saint Nicholas himself are all gloriously rendered, and will make this version of the classic poem a Christmas tradition in its own right.