The Night Before Christmas

"A visual treatment of an old poem that’s both nostalgic and fresh...Bring this one ho-ho-home. " — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Readers see a diverse quartet of families asleep in their beds on Christmas Eve and view Santa soaring through the sky to deliver presents to each abode. The eclectic architecture, décor, holiday decorations, family configurations, and pet menageries shape a welcoming and inclusive portrait of Christmas Eve peace, wonder, and anticipation. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Long’s inclusive take on Moore’s poem focuses on four different families in four diverse dwellings....Details in the warm and expansive acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations clearly delineate each setting as well as draw viewers in and keep them riveted. — Horn Book (starred review)

Clement C. Moore was born in in New York City in 1779. During his lifetime, he wrote in a variety of forms, including biography, translation, fiction, and poetry. He is perhaps most famous for his poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which was first published anonymously in 1823, and later became known as "The Night Before Christmas." The first few lines of this poem are some of the best-known verses of American literature and Moore's descriptions of Santa Claus have contributed significantly to our conception of him. Moore died in 1863, but his legacy will live on forever.

Antonio Javier Caparo is a Cuban-born illustrator and designer. Although much of his early career was spent in graphic design, his passion for animation and comics led him to devote himself to illustration-both traditional and digital. He has been published around the world and has won numerous awards in multiple countries. He lives in Quebec, Canada.

Readers young and old are invited into the enchanting world of Mary Engelbreit in this sparkling edition of Clement C. Moore's classic poem. It is the night before Christmas, in a house so cozy and colorful, so filled with expectation, so dusted with Christmas magic that only this beloved illustrator could have created it. Shhh. A mouse is asleep in its snug den and children are dreaming as sugarplum fairies flutter around their bed. Then there's the jingle of bells. . . .
For this merry celebration of Christmas, Mary Engelbreit has filled every page with bewitching details, rich color, and memorable characters. These include a bevy of mischievous elves, an adorable mouse, and a lovable, bespectacled Santa. The images in Mary's joyous vision will bring discovery and delight to generations of readers.