The Night Before Christmas

When the boys were little, the last thing we did each Christmas Eve before bed was read aloud from their favorite Christmas picture books while snuggled in our bed. The last book was always one of our copies of The Night Before Christmas. This morning I started the day with Holly Hobbie's new version of the book (also known as "A Visit From St. Nicholas" as the end note reminds readers). Her notes about reinterpreting the classic poem and about her own artwork (which I read first) help explain some of her artistic creativity.

Four children are snuggled soundly in their bed, their cat asleep atop their pillows. When Papa hears the clatter on the roof and throws open the sash, snow swirls into the room. The toddler and cat are also awakened. They creep downstairs, each in wonder at the jolly old elf whose belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly when he laughs. Nestled between siblings on the last page, the toddler's reaction to the exclamation from St. Nicholas is bright-eyed delight.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!