THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve in a snowy New England village of yesteryear is the setting for this version of the holiday poem, illustrated by Moses in a folk-art style similar to that of his great-grandmother, the beloved artist known as Grandma Moses. The cover of this volume shows Santa and his reindeer just about to land on the snowy roof of a large, traditional farmhouse, which is shown on a later page with an open front wall like an old-fashioned dollhouse. The format includes spot illustrations and vignettes next to the verses of the poem, alternating with full spreads of the farm or the surrounding village with Santa in his sleigh flying overhead. The paintings of indoor scenes are full of tiny, fascinating details of another era, while the outdoor scenes, lit by a full moon, show sweeping vistas of peaceful and prosperous farms. Though Moses has clearly been influenced by the artistic style of his great-grandmother, his illustrations are accomplished and charming on their own merits, combining a naïve appeal with more sophisticated perspective and composition. An introduction by the illustrator offers some insights into his intriguing family history. (Picture book. 3-7)