A Creature Was Stirring

" 'Twas the night before Christmas" in this variation on "A Visit from St. Nicholas," but the poem's leading creature, Mouse, can't seem to settle down ("He'd never heard of a mouse not stirring"). Even as house cats urge rest, the subject resists with alliterative and assonant actions ("So he drummed./ Stacked./ Nut-cracked./ And crunched on all the cookies") that continue when the rodent attempts sleep ("He twiddled./ Fiddled./ Giggled"). As the creature's energy levels up, a late-night train ride leads to an encounter with Santa, portrayed with pale skin. Luckily, the big guy has just the right gift for the wide-awake mouse. Hogan's digital illustrations glow with toasty reds and oranges--coloring that suggests the holiday and Mouse's energy alike. It's hard not to sympathize with the over-excited Mouse's night-before plight in this wind- down story from Pierczynski. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)