'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even . . . a bear?
Only Jane Chapman could reimagine this classic poem with a delightful all animal cast. On the night of Christmas Eve, a family of bears settle down to sleep until Papa Bear is awakened by a racket outside. Polar bear Santa in a sleigh pulled by eight dog-deer bring festive commotion and joy to the class holiday tale
July 15, 2024
Christmas Eve, replete with adorable animals: What could be more festive? Papa Bear narrates this delightful, all-animal version of Moore's perennially favorite holiday classic. He and Mama Bear have just settled down with their family for the night on Christmas Eve when a "clatter" outside awakens him. Lo and behold, he sees a "miniature sleigh and eight tiny dog-deer, / With a polar bear driver," who, in this telling, subs for jolly, red-suited and red-capped St. Nick. In this very cheery adaptation, dogs of different breeds retain the names of the reindeer fleet in the original, so kids familiar with that poem may very well call out their monikers as the book is read aloud. The verse remains the same as in the 19th-century version, except where animal-themed word changes--as noted above--are required to suit these most adorable, child-appealing acrylic illustrations. The artwork depicts not only the pajama-clad bear family and furry pooches adorned with striped antler headbands, but also winsome mice, owls, cats, foxes, raccoons, a hedgehog, and a squirrel or two. The bears have decorated their home for the holiday colorfully, and the cubs have bedded down cozily with their stuffed toys. This is a sweet, endearing way to introduce young children to Moore's Christmas poem. A Christmas charmer worth making room for. (the origins of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas")(Picture book. 3-7)
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