The poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas, is often one of the first poems a child memorizes. Children quickly embrace the poem's meter without realizing they are being exposed to a true art form. It has such a lyrical cadence that it could almost be sung instead of recited. Most parents have it memorized so well that they are rarely actually reading when they select that book for the bedtime story.
Every home with a child has at least one copy of this wonderful holiday book and some of us have several copies. It is fun to compare the different illustrations! Actually, the pictures are every bit as important as the story itself.
History of "Twas the Night Before Christmas"
The Night Before Christmas - 1963It may surprise you to know that the author of the poem is contested.
The story was originally named A Visit from St. Nicholas and published anonymously in 1823, but claimed four years later by Clement Clarke Moore. The validity of that claim has been disputed.
The family of Henry Livingston, Jr. maintains that he was the actual author. Henry Livingston, Jr. was in fact a distant relative of Clement Moore's wife.
In my opinion, that dispute casts a bit of a shadow over this wonderful poem. It is so very sad when someone tries to steal another's work. Obviously, 200 years after the fact, we can't know for sure which is the thief.
It is just a real shame that a story with such impact for centuries cannot be unequivocally attributed to the proper author.
Review of the Visual Art
The Night Before Christmas
by Rose CollinsThe classic illustrations are colorful and magical. We can almost feel the warmth of the fireplace, the cold of the snow and the see the twinkle in Santa's eye. They beautifully reflect the words of the poem.
I was recently given a copy of "The Night Before Christmas" by Rose Collins. I discovered an illustrated version that evokes nostalgic feelings in parents, but has a whole new appeal for children. Instead of people, this version features bears. Santa Claus is still human, but he visits a family of bears on Christmas Eve.
This digital book appeals to me personally because I love teddy bears! Of course, I still love the original illustrations, but this is a really cute way to embrace yesteryear while giving it a touch of current day fun.
Rose Collins also makes a few changes in the words to current day language. For instance, instead of "the children were nestled, all snug in their beds", she writes "the children were sleeping all snug in their beds". I also emitted a wee giggle when I noted that she renamed Donner, Donna, which is obviously current day influence as well.
A Page from the Kindle Book, The Night Before Christmas by Rose Collins |
Reading Books with Illustrations Digitally
For several years, I have enjoyed reading books on my Kindle Paperwhite. However, I have often lamented that I wish I could see the images in color, especially when reviewing children's books or viewing cookbooks. So often, those images really do make a huge difference. I asked my fellow contributor, Susan Deppner, our resident electronics guru, if she had a solution for that. Boy, did she ever!
I quickly hopped over to her comparison review of the different Kindles and knew in just a few moments that I needed the Kindle Fire!
You, too, can read Susan's excellent comparison of the digital readers by clicking this link. It is a must read when selecting a new Kindle.
I will continue to read my novels on my Kindle Paperwhite, but I have to tell you. I do love my new Kindle Fire that shows images in color.
A photo of my own Kindle Fire opened to a page of "The Night Before Christmas" by Rose Collins |
Encourage Your Child to Read with Their Own Kindle Fire
The Night Before Christmas Book Review Written by:
I am also a fan of digital reading and I love my latest Kindle Fire (I'm on my 3rd one!) Now, I can enjoy The Night Before Christmas with those beautiful color illustrations. Reading the poem was a Christmas Eve tradition for my family and I'm happy to say my daughters are all continuing that tradition. Thanks for sharing news of the new version.
ReplyDeleteA classic Christmas poem for sure. Love the teddy bear version. :) And a Kindle Fire for Kids - what a cute and clever way to encourage kids to love to read while they are being entertained with an electronic device (which all kids today love!) :)
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle at being referred to as an electronics guru, but I certainly appreciate the mention, Cynthia! I'm not usually into "new and improved" when it comes to books, but I do love the artwork as you've shown it on the teddy bear version of The Night Before Christmas, and the updated language doesn't seem to detract from the original lyrical poem. Including a copy of this ebook on a gift of the Fire Kids' Edition would make a wonderful gift even better! So glad you wrote the review or I would have passed right over this book.
ReplyDeleteWow that Kindle Fire photo is a good ad for it! Love the night before Christmas and a bear one would be so cute! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI was still on the "fence" about which kind of electronic reader I should ask Santa for, I think you just made it easier for me to list exactly the one I would like...... Kindle Fire goes on my list of things I want for Christmas. The book is a bonus. You can never have too many copies of "Twas the night before Christmas!"
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