The Night Before Christmas

By Clement C. Moore and David Ercolini

A refreshing spin on the classic Christmas poem, featuring funny, over the top illustrations.

In this hysterical version of “The Night Before Christmas,” David Ercolini’s over-the-top illustrations will have readers saying, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Creatures of all shapes and all sizes will be stirring with laughter in this overly decked out, Christmas-splendored illustrated picture book!

Ercolini breathes new life into an unrivaled classic with his vibrant illustrations featuring fun, accessible scenes of holiday mayhem and spirited cheer. It’s “The Night Before Christmas” as you’ve never seen it before!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Sep 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9780545913287

Clement C. Moore

Clement Clarke Moore was a professor of religion and the author of several scholarly works. What he is most remembered for, however, is his poem "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," later called "The Night Before Christmas," and written as a Christmas gift for his six children.

Reviews for The Night Before Christmas

[john257hopper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is nicely illustrated edition of this children's Christmas poem composed in the early 19th century, originally for the author's own children and printed in a newspaper, before being distributed more widely. Famous for introducing the names of Santa's reindeer, it is genuinely funny and heartwarming.

[sandyamcpherson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My quintessential childhood book. An amusing poem that resonates with the Santa myth. Since this edition has such deep emotional attachment to my Christmas memories, my rating reflects absolutely no consideration of writing quality.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Someone commented earlier today on a book you had to read every Christmas. It made me think of this classic poem which I read every year as a child. I actually had the entire poem memorized as a young child because I'd read it so often from an illustrated children's edition. I feel the need to issue a word of caution. The Project Gutenberg edition was available for download and reading from my library; however, the formatting is awful. It misses letters and entire phrases. Fortunately I knew the missing words and phrases, but others probably don't. Please skip that edition!

[kaethe_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1/1/2000 I think it most unlikely that Clement Clarke Moore wrote the original poem, although I do understand why he continues to be credited. And I understand why the title used is incorrect, but common. But there's some editing of the text, and that really annoys me. I do think that Brett's pictures are lovely and amusing, and that's why I read the book every year, and then put it away with the other holiday books.

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2008 Dec 18

The Possum was feeling the spirit last night, and also, couldn't decide what big book she wanted me to start next. So, she broke out the Jan Brett copy of the poem attributed to Moore, from among our numerous versions. However, the Brett version says "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Christmas", so it feels fake to her.

On the other hand, Brett's illustrations are always fun, with lots going on to look at.

2009 January 1
2010 December 24

*** The Possum was feeling the spirit last night, and also, couldn't decide what big book she wanted me to start next. So, she broke out the Jan Brett copy of the poem attributed to Moore, from among our numerous versions. However, the Brett version says "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Christmas", so it feels fake to her.

On the other hand, Brett's illustrations are always fun, with lots going on to look at.

[amyadams19 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this book because of the fun rhyming/ beat of the stories and detailed illustrations. The story rhymes as you read along with words like "appear" and "reindeer" or "quick" and "Nick." This rhyming makes it engages to read and a pleasant sound to listen to. The illustrations are very detailed and bright and colorful. Reading this to a child, they would be very engaged in the pictures. The students could read this story when learning about different holidays. The big idea in this book is to tell children how Santa delivers presents on Christmas Eve.

[bearlyr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What better Christmas tradition could you have than to sit down with your children, have hot chocolate, and read The Night Before Christmas? Most of us are quite familiar with the story, but reading it is magical! It's a journey back to childhood, and trip through our memories and how wonderful the holidays were while growing up. And, what better Christmas gift could you imagine? This is a masterful description of a classic Christmas, with all the holiday trimmings.

[sharlenehsmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My Christmas Fave!
I listened to the ambience & sound effects whilst reading this book, from the app 'Booktrack'. The app is great. It takes how fast you turn the page to time when you hear the effects. It's really great and adds to the whole reading experience.

[amccann-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The tale know by everyone. A reprint edition of the book every family reads to their children the night before Christmas. The story is about when a man gets to witness for his own eyes the arrival of Santa Claus. This is a great story for a child's imagination and wonder right before the magical morning of Christmas.

[lmcswe1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a classic book that is associated with sentimentality around the holidays. Many families read it on the night before christmas as a tradition. This in itself makes it a book worth reading, because the memories that go along with it are often some of the best memories a person can have. However, another reason this book is worth reading is because it is a good book. The story is cute and imaginative, but the rhymes are what really make it a fantastic book. The rhythm of the rhymes flow so well that it is hard not to enjoy reading it. For example, there is something enjoyable about reading “Now, Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen! On Comet, On Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!” The fantastic rhymes coupled with the sentimentality of the book make it one that won’t be forgotten. The main idea of this book is to appreciate the joy and wonder that comes with the holiday season.

[cynical_ames · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I try to read this every year as it never fails to return me to my 5-year-old self, filled with excitement over the great and powerful Santa's impending visit. The catchy rhythm and rhyme of this delightful poem is contagious. I used to repeat it often as a child until the first lines were branded into my brain:
''Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.'
It always leaves me with a warm and satisfied glow as I read the last words:

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

[wickedshizuku · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this with my daughter at a Night Before Christmas function at her school. It was an enjoyable time reading to five other children as well. This is the classic tale that I'm sure anyone who celebrates Christmas has heard. The illustrations are nice, and the poetry is lovely. While reading this it's nice to curl up with your child and share a nice mug of hot chocolate. Cheers and Happy Holiday Readings!

[antiquary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very nice little booklet with the classic poem and Rackham's illustrations, which are as always capable though sometimes a bit irrelevant. I like the faces in his pine trees, though.

[lmeza-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's Jan Brett, what can I say?

[debnance_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s a happy surprise to find that children’s book illustrator Holly Hobbie has taken on this classic poem. And it will be no surprise to you for me to tell you that this is a lovely version of this old story.

[tpicou-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic, just a classic. All children should know this story like the back of their hands. Personally, this is my favorite Christmas book. I would read my students this book the day before we go on Christmas break just to get them excited and in the spirit. I would probably bring them hot chocolate as well just to make it extra special.

[jewolf-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This classic Christmas story is a perfect book to read to a class right before Christmas break. This story talkks about what goes on in an everyday house the night before Christmas. This is one a my favorite stories still today. I think it is suitable for all ages. The rhyming is carried throughout the story and sure enough, santa leaves a heap of gifts for the children, nussled safe in their beds.

[jbarr5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. MooreISBN: 9780987902306Very colorful illustrated children's book about the night before Christmas. Each part of the story is displayed inhigh graphics bringing magic to the page as you read each one.This classic along with the pictures would be a delight to read every night til the holiday arrives.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bright, festive illustrations.

[ahernandez91 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Christmas classic that almost all children are familiar with. It is the night before Christmas and everything is closed, people are sleeping waiting for the arrival of Saint Nicholas. As a child I always loved Christmas books, the holiday cheer, the excitement, and the love- therefore I know in the classroom students will get antsy around the holidays. This would be a great book to read around Christmas, not only for fun, but for connecting it with the poetry and the rhymes that the book is all about. The acrylic illustrations are just beautiful and are sure the keep the readers attention.

[tterry6901 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book tells the story of Christmas Eve and how Santa creeps very quietly to deliver presents. The man in the story says that he hears him and he sees him fly away calling out his raindeer and telling everyone Merry Christmas!The story is a classic and is something I read to my family every year. The colors and pictures are very detailed and hopefully this will be a book I can pass down to my daughter.Children try and hold onto the fantasy of Santa Claus as long as possible and this book is very good at holding their spirits just a little longer.When reading this story it would be beneficial to really get the kids into the book. Read a little softer than normal and show excitement at the right places. If you really put your beliefs in the book you can really hold a child's hope just a little longer.

[jessy555_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Genre: PoetryCritique of Genre: This is a wonderful example of poetry because it flows nicely with a lot of rhyming words such as, nose and rose or foot and soot. You can get a rhythm going from the start and it continues to flow right through to the end. Media: acrylic

[mccin68 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful illustrations paired with the classic poem.