The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Robert Ingpen

Clement C. Moore's immortal Christmas Eve poem, first written for his nine children in 1822, and subsequently published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel in 1823, is presented in this charming miniature picture-book edition, with the artwork of Australian illustrator Robert Ingpen. Each two-page spread contains a verse of two of the poem, paired with lovely artwork in subtle, wintry shades...

I enjoyed this presentation of The Night Before Christmas, which is done in a rather different style than the one by Charles Santore, hitherto my favorite version. Ingpen's Saint Nicholas has an immensely droll, winsome quality, and I particularly liked the scene in which he is sucking on his pipe, gazing sideways at the reader with a sharp, mischievous look in his eye. The opening scene, which shows a close-up of a mouse - it's paired with the opening lines, "Twas the night before Christmas, / when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, / not even a mouse" - was a little startling, if I'm honest, but otherwise this is a sweet little edition. Recommended to Ingpen fans, and to anyone looking for picture-book presentations of this delightful poem. ( )

Robert Ingpen illustrates another book in such a unique way - his illustrations are so magnificent, they truly add to the story. This is an illustrator to collect! ( )