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(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anita Lobel.
First published in 1984, Lobel's interpretation of Moore's classic poem is soothing and peaceful. Dramatically moonlit views of a snow-covered city streetscape give way to richly colored, cozy interior scenes of a turn-of-the-twentieth-century brownstone. We get glimpses of family members sleeping snug in their quilt-covered beds; we see family portraits (one of which bears a strong resemblance to Arnold Lobel) on the walls; a fireplace hung with stockings; a Christmas tree adorned with candles. The only face shown is Santa's, as that traditionally portrayed gent goes about his toy-delivering business. A gorgeous aerial view of the Brooklyn Bridge completes the book.
40 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| September, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-286946-3$18.99
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Loren Long.
Long's inclusive take on Moore's poem focuses on four different families in four diverse dwellings: a country farmhouse, a city apartment, a trailer home, and a house in the tropics. As the poem unfolds, Long alternates among these locales, showing the various preparations the families make for Christmas Eve, their responses to Santa's arrival, and the aftermath of his visit. Details in the warm and expansive acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations clearly delineate each setting as well as draw viewers in and keep them riveted: the various treats left for Santa (freshly baked cookies in the farmhouse, a Keurig all set up in the trailer); the well-chosen presents the children receive; the reactions of each household's pets to seeing Santa.
40 pp.
| Little Simon
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-0085-6$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-0086-3
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Antonio Javier Caparo.
A bespectacled young father observes Santa Claus delivering his family's Christmas gifts in this edition of Moore's holiday poem. Caparo's rich-toned, full-bleed illustrations feel cinematic, with varied perspectives creating a sense of intimacy in the cozy home and neighborhood scenes. A contemporary typeface and modern visual details--such as fashionable Santa's red sneakers and striped gloves--gently update this classic tale.
32 pp.
| Scholastic/Orchard
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-39112-2$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
David Ercolini.
In this laugh-out-loud version of Moore's poem, the text is unchanged, but Ercolini's deadpan acrylic illustrations scream modern-day America. Here, the house in which "not a creature was stirring" is the most over-decorated one in the neighborhood--or possibly the world. Myriad details invite repeated readings, and the subplot involving the resident dog, cat, and (yes) mouse adds even more goofy charm.
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Roger Duvoisin.
This is a wholly pleasing version of the classic poem illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Duvoisin. The book's tall, narrow shape makes it ideal for vertical-chimney, steep-rooftop, and reindeer-flight scenes. Full-color spreads alternate with one-color (red plus black and white) spreads, providing additional pacing and rhythm (and the red accents add welcome warmth). It's all jolly, homey, unpretentious, and full of good cheer.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| September, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-5625-2$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Barbara Reid.
Reid's unusual illustrations of mice, rendered in Plasticine, renew Moore's classic poem with an impressive amount of depth and detail. Panoramic double-page spreads capture the energy and anticipation of Christmas Eve, with all the mice busily readying for Santa Claus's (Santa Maus's?) arrival; looking closer, visual jokes abound--who knew that mice read on the toilet?
389 pp.
| Delacorte
| May, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-385-74080-7$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-98970-4$20.99
(3)
YA
Teenage medium Daisy Goodnight (Texas Gothic) is consulting on a missing-persons case when she herself is abducted. Her kidnapper? The missing coed's crime-boss father, who coerces Daisy (with hot-but-probably-criminal Carson) into a wild goose chase to find the ransom: an ancient Egyptian magical artifact. Snarky, flirty banter; plot twists and double-crosses; and plenty of tense supernatural action will thrill paranormal romance fans.
40 pp.
| Little
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-07018-8$18.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Holly Hobbie.
In Hobbie's treatment of the Christmas poem, a toddler and a father in striped pajamas look on as Saint Nick pays a visit to the family's comfortable home in the country. The watercolor, pen-and-ink, and gouache illustrations capture light wonderfully--the cool dimness of the snow-covered landscape, the stark moonlight, the warm glow of the Christmas tree.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2013
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ted Rand.
Rand's double-page spread watercolor illustrations attractively interpret the classic Christmas poem. Using a palette of deep blues and rich red, he creates the magic of that winter night. This "gift edition" is packaged with a wooden ornament.
(2)
YA
Striving for normality in her magic-practicing family, Amy is happy for a summer of hard work at her aunt's Texas ranch. But the deathly cold apparition in Amy's bedroom pulls her into a dangerous mystery. Clement-Moore mixes suspense, humor, and lots of local flavor in this lively teen ghost story--with sex appeal--that’s one part Texas history and one part CSI.
Reviewer: Lauren Adams
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2011
24 pp.
| Holiday
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2284-5$8.95 New ed. (1980)
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Tomie dePaola.
Set in 1840s New Hampshire, dePaola's watercolor and ink illustrations, framed with quilt pattern designs, exude rustic spirit and wholesome charm. This board book edition uses a bolder font that has an Old World feel. While omitting two illustrations from the original picture book means the text is longer on two pages, this version is still an overall success.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
December, 1980
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kat Whelan.
Whelan's illustrations show a cast of mice as the characters in Moore's classic poem, including mouse Santa with white beard and bifocals (the reindeer are still reindeer). The cardstock pages facilitate multiple readings. Though it's kind of a cheap ploy, the glittery accents in the pictures (luckily they're not too cutesy) may catch readers' eyes.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Eric Puybaret.
Puybaret's acrylic on linen illustrations contain plenty of crisp angles along with smooth expanses of color. There are also lots of creative details (e.g., the reindeer wear bowler hats and gold-trimmed capes). An accompanying CD features Peter, Paul and Mary songs and a reading of the poem by Mary Travers.
40 pp.
| Running
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7624-2717-8$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Christopher Wormell.
Wormell's signature prints illustrate Moore's poem. Each individual piece is dramatic and beautiful; some, such as Papa peering out of the window with shadows of reindeer seen on the clapboard house, use dynamic perspectives. As a whole, however, the book feels somewhat static and repetitive, especially when Santa comes on the scene.
(3)
YA
Maggie and Lisa (Prom Dates from Hell, Hell Week) return. In this entertaining ride, the girls' spring break gets derailed by the discovery of mysterious animal slayings in Texas. They team up with old friends and new allies to put their demon-destroying skills to work alongside the powers of Catholicism and southwestern brujería (witchcraft).
(3)
YA
Sylvie, a ballet prodigy who has just suffered a career-ending injury, is shuffled by her mother from New York to Alabama to live with her dead father's cousin. There she becomes embroiled in generations-old supernatural intrigue--and falls for a cute Welsh geology student up to his eyeballs in the mystery. Sylvie is a stubborn, relatable protagonist. The story's many-layered plot builds in suspense.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25408-6$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rachel Isadora.
Isadora creatively recasts Moore's famous verse, transporting readers to a snow-dusted African village. St. Nick, cheeks rosy against brown skin, is dressed in a big red coat and jaunty red hat, beneath which spill snowy-white dreadlocks. His gifts include African dolls and stuffed animals. Throughout the collage illustrations, patterns, colors, and textures beautifully evoke the familiarity of Christmas within a nontraditional setting.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2009
48 pp.
| Sterling/Innovation
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4027-5484-5$14.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tom Browning.
Artist Browning illustrates Moore's classic Christmas poem with expansive, sentimental paintings. His large, full-bleed illustrations of rosy-cheeked Santa and reindeer flying in front of a full moon are iconic rather than original. Though it lacks a distinctive personality or point of view, the art may appeal to an adult audience sharing this well-loved verse with their little ones.
(3)
YA
Maggie's plan to write an exposé of sorority rush for her small-town newspaper becomes complicated once she realizes that the most exclusive sorority truly is demonic. Possessed of her own supernatural powers, she finds herself surprisingly tempted to pledge. Alternating between a funny spoof of collegiate turmoil and an over-the-top melodrama, this sequel to Prom Dates from Hell is light but satisfying fare.
(2)
YA
Maggie, wisecracking photographer for her high-school paper and reluctant heir to her grandmother's gift of "the Sight," deduces that the demon cursing the school's popular crowd will reach full power at...senior prom. Buffy fans will relish the unflappable, edgy humor. Though the logistics aren't as tight as they might be, Maggie's narration is consistently entertaining.