December 24th is Christmas Eve – the night before Christmas. I am just going to go through a few of the many books on the subject.
First, I have a large and small copy of Clement C. Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas”. F.A.O. Schwarz printed the large book of Moore’s poem, with the original illustrations by William Rodger Snow. This is a great book to hold when reading to the family.
The small book would be the smallest I have of this poem. It is 2 3/4 by 3 1/4, still with nice illustrations.
I then have a few pop-up books of this poem. The open copy is from 1987. The blue copy is a wonderful ‘tunnel illustrations’ pop-ups, that when you open each page, there is a window of view, with more smaller windows of view getting smaller and smaller, making it a three-dimentional picture. The third copy is a collector’s pop-up, illustrated by Marvin Brehm in 1967.
I also have a couple of specialty books. First is “An Irish Night Before Christmas” by Sarah Kirwan Blazek, published in 2001. This was recommended, and then sent by a book dealer in Ireland that was picking out Irish books for my library. It is re-written into a great story about Ireland, and an Irish Santa. There were no reindeer but wee little elves in green.
The smaller book is “The Night Before Christmas…In Chicago” published in 1992. This story is also re-written with Santa having some issues flying through Chicago. There are plenty of references to the city, the last line being:
“Chicago,” called Santa, “Merry Christmas and the like!” Said Dasher to Dancer, “Why can’t we all be like Mike?”
And the last illustration is of a full moon with a silhouette of Michael Jorden floating in front.
I have a forty-five record of Burl Ives narrating “The Night Before Christmas.” I believe it was 1986. This was a promotion from Lakehurst Shopping Center, the mall where I first met my wife.
In 1995, I bought this book, “A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement C. Moore, and illuminated by Mary C. Ogden, his daughter, 1995.
Inside is the poem, with beautiful borders, and illustrations. There is also a copy of the origninal handwritten poem, along with the history about writing the poem. Moore wrote this poem in 1822 for his children. It was first published in 1823 on December 23rd. I bought the book at Bergner’s when they were hosting a viewing of the actual poem written in Moore’s own handwriting. This poem was protected like the Declaration of Independence. It was in a large plexiglass container, and had an armed guard standing next to it. It was rather thrilling to see the actual poem written by the author.
Thanks for reading…”and to all a good night.“
Librarytomes 