’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The famous poem is presented here with a cast of charming mice, including Santa Mouse in the starring role. He is shown on the glitter-accented cover flying in his mouse-sized sleigh with his team of eight tiny reindeer that truly fit that description. The attractive design features a large format with pages of heavy cardstock, and each double-page spread includes touches of glitter highlighting snow, stars and decorations. Appealing watercolors depict a cozy home ready for the holiday, with one spread showing a cutaway view like an open dollhouse. The illustrations follow an old-fashioned interpretation of the well-loved poem, with mice taking the place of the characters. The choice of mice to tell the story gives new meaning to the phrase “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Sweet, but probably not lasting. (Picture book. 3-7)