The Night Before Christmas
by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Mary Engelbreit
The full text of the familiar poem is illustrated in Engelbreit's crisply decorated style. A large trim size (11" x 11") allows each highly embellished spread to hold a plethora of detail. Engelbreit's visions of sugarplums translate to a busy-bright patchwork of checks, plaids, paisleys and chintzes in this oversize volume. From the opening stanza's view of the non-stirring mouse's hole (a cracked teacup is his bed, a potholder his doormat, and a paintbrush is his broom) and throughout the verses, the artist adds lots of elves and ornamentation. The cast of rambunctious elves accompany an exceptionally jolly St. Nick as he leaves assorted old-fashioned candies and toys inside a home decorated in a spectrum of Engelbreit's trademark patterns and prints. Santa is not pictured as "dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot"; he's wearing a checked coat with fur trim and what appear to be leather bowling shoes. He does twinkle a lot, though. Kids -and adult fans of the artist -will enjoy poring over the copious details.
Activities:
Make a mini-book of the poem
Christmas Compare and Contrast- "The Mouse Before Christmas" vs. "The Night Before Christmas."
"Night Before Christmas"- "Students will learn about story writing, authors purpose, and the history of some of our Christmas traditions."
This big, multidisciplinary lesson called "Night Before Christmas" is on Writing and Much More
Literacy Development Activities
"Twas the Night Before Christmas": Retelling through thinking maps
