The Night Before Christmas: The Classic Rhyme with Flaps to Lift and Sparkling Surprises! - Tapa dura

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) --Kirkus Reviews

Clement Clarke Moore's famous 19th-century poem is largely responsible for the notion of Santa Claus that we still have today, including his physical appearance, his mode of transportation, the night of his visit, and the tradition that he brings toys to children.