The Night Before Christmas (Reprint) (Hardcover) by Clement Clarke Moore

About the Book

Since it was first published anonymously in 1823, the poem "The Night Before Christmas" has enchanted children for generations. Many families read the poem every year, and now they have an edition to treasure. The poem, faithfully reproduced here, is accompanied by Santore's lavish illustrations. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Here is the wonderful new version of the classic poem every family should own. This edition of The Night Before Christmas is lavishly illustrated by renowned, New York Times #1 Bestselling artist Charles Santore, the critically-acclaimed illustrator of multiple classic tales, including The Wizard of Oz, Snow White and The Little Mermaid. This is a hardcover edition of the classic The Night Before Christmas, featuring a four-page gatefold and an embossed and foil-stamped cover.

First published anonymously in a New York Newspaper called the Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823, under the title "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Clement Clark Moore has long been credited as the author of this beloved yuletide poem, but literary scholar Don Foster now believes that the true writer was in fact a poet of Dutch heritage named Henry Livingston Jr. Livingston had passed away by the time Moore claimed authorship of the poem years later. In 1844, Moore published "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in an anthology of his own poetry, but Livingston's family has always insisted that Moore is not the true author. However, even if Livingston's family had never spoken up, Moore's authorship rings a bit false. The structure of the poem is very different from anything else Moore had written, but the style and imagery do match Livingston's writing. Most compelling of all are the Dutch references in the poem, including several reindeer names, such as "Donder" (meaning "thunder") and "Blixem" (meaning "lightning"). These names were anglicized in later editions to the now-famous "Donner," and "Blitzen." As a nod to Livingston's claim on the poem, we have left the original Dutch name "Donder" in our edition.

Review Quotes

Santore has illustrated many classic stories, including Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, and The Little Mermaid, and he now brings to life Moore's 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' in characteristically elegant and detail-rich paintings. His is a very traditional vision, as he brings readers inside a stately colonial home, tastefully appointed with wreaths, garlands, and stockings. In a particularly nice bit of design, when the narrator 'Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash, ' readers can do the same, opening a double-page gatefold that reveals a quiet village blanketed by snow--and a sleigh silhouetted against the moon. It's a gorgeous interpretation of a beloved holiday classic. All ages. (Oct.)
--Publisher's Weekly, starred review

About The Author

The work of New York Times best-selling children's book illustrator Charles Santore has been widely exhibited in museums and celebrated with recognitions such as the prestigious Hamilton King Award, the Society of Illustrators Award of Excellence, and the Original Art 2000 Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. He is best known for his luminous interpretations of classic children's stories, including, The Night Before Christmas, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, The Velveteen Rabbit, and The Wizard of Oz.