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THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Illustrated versions of the famous poem abound, but this rendition stands out for its large size, thoughtful design, and...

The classic poem about Santa’s appearance on Christmas Eve is presented in a large format with a contemporary setting and a jolly Santa sporting red, high-top sneakers.

The title of this attractive interpretation is spelled out in raised silver letters on the cover; beneath it, Santa is poised to swoop down the chimney of a comfortably middle-class white family. He is gazing out directly at readers with a wave and a grin, seeming to invite them to follow him down the chimney and into the story. He is white and wearing the familiar red, fur-trimmed suit, but this Santa has jazzy, striped gloves, those stylish, red high-tops, and an unusual patchwork sack for the toys. The atmosphere of the illustrations is dark and a little spooky, with muted lighting and mysterious, curling wisps of mist that indicate the magical nature of Santa’s journey. In the outdoor scenes, the text is set in white type, standing out against the midnight-blue evening sky. Several double-page spreads of the reindeer and sleigh in action use unusual perspectives to heighten the dramatic effect, creating a sense of speed and motion. The large trim size and dramatic pacing make this a fine choice for reading aloud to a group.

Illustrated versions of the famous poem abound, but this rendition stands out for its large size, thoughtful design, and dramatic, atmospheric illustrations. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-5344-0085-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017

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HOW TO CATCH A WITCH

Not enough tricks to make this a treat.

Another holiday title (How To Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Elkerton, 2017) sticks to the popular series’ formula.

Rhyming four-line verses describe seven intrepid trick-or-treaters’ efforts to capture the witch haunting their Halloween. Rhyming roadblocks with toolbox is an acceptable stretch, but too often too many words or syllables in the lines throw off the cadence. Children familiar with earlier titles will recognize the traps set by the costume-clad kids—a pulley and box snare, a “Tunnel of Tricks.” Eventually they accept her invitation to “floss, bump, and boogie,” concluding “the dance party had hit the finale at last, / each dancing monster started to cheer! / There’s no doubt about it, we have to admit: / This witch threw the party of the year!” The kids are diverse, and their costumes are fanciful rather than scary—a unicorn, a dragon, a scarecrow, a red-haired child in a lab coat and bow tie, a wizard, and two space creatures. The monsters, goblins, ghosts, and jack-o'-lanterns, backgrounded by a turquoise and purple night sky, are sufficiently eerie. Still, there isn’t enough originality here to entice any but the most ardent fans of Halloween or the series. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Not enough tricks to make this a treat. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-72821-035-3

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland

Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022

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DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.

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Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.

This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9781454952770

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023

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