The Night Before Christmas

Moses (Silent Night ) does his family legacy proud, putting his own cozy folk-style stamp on this much-loved holiday poem, a text that also inspired his great grandmother, Grandma Moses, whose picture-book edition has been a classic for several generations. A subtle aerial perspective allows readers to watch Santa's approach (over several breathtaking wordless spreads) to a small farming community in the glisten of moon-on-snow, a landscape dotted with snowmen, shocks of hay and wreath-adorned doors. Old-fashioned toys, wood-burning stoves and other details, often highlighted in spot illustrations, set this rendition in a bygone century. But the overall tone of this elegant volume, packaged with a bonus ornament, exudes a timeless Christmas magic perfect for family sharing. All ages. (Sept.)