The Night Before Christmas

Caparo follows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rudolph Shines Again with a handsome interpretation of Moore's classic holiday poem that brings it into the present day. In an urban neighborhood of townhouses, it's a scruffy-haired young dad in a cardigan who leaps out of bed and, after putting on dark-framed eyeglasses, spots Santa soaring overhead. The text of the poem is unchanged, which means that Caparo supplies this Santa with a pipe to smoke (he also gives him a pair of red, Converse-style high tops in lieu of boots). Along with the contemporary details Caparo brings to this retelling, the antics of the family's pets (and a pair of mice) add to the fun. The modern family that features in Caparo's sumptuous, lifelike images may help some readers connect to the sometimes-remote language of the original--he successfully gives this poem a fresh and stylish spin while reaffirming its timelessness. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 2--Moore's beloved Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" receives new treatment from illustrator Caparo. The house is quiet and everyone sound asleep when the father of the family wakes to a commotion and runs to investigate. Lo and behold, St. Nick and his retinue of reindeer are on the roof. Santa pops down the chimney, stuffs stockings as he puffs on a pipe, and exits via chimney as quickly as he arrived, exclaiming, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" Caparo's digital paintings capture the nighttime stillness of the house in plums and yellows; the winter landscape is rendered in icy blues and swirling snow. The action is driven by the father, agape with wonder, his bright-eyed Jack Russell terrier, and Santa, of course. St. Nick's arrival with Blitzen et al. is the dramatic highlight, and Santa's footwear gets an update with jaunty red high-tops. This is a solid, though not particularly inventive take, on a Christmas classic that has been reinterpreted ad infinitum. Young readers will appreciate the lush illustrations and Santa's cheeky jollity. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries in need of fresh holiday content.--Shanna Kim, Los Angeles Public Library