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Tahlia Newland – December 7, 2014
This children’s picture book is quite simply beautiful. The story is beautiful, written by Jay Dee in simple but elegant and evocative prose, and the illustrations by Darren Geers are beautiful, colourful without being garish and with a truly lovely light quality. The book has also been beautifully produced, nicely printed and well laid out.
The illustrations create a large part of the book’s charm. The artist has imbued the drawings of Elfie, the other elves and Santa Clause with a great deal of expression. They beam off the page.
But the story itself does something wonderful; it merges the story of Santa Clause with the birth of Jesus, and also makes a clear statement on the kind of dedication required to achieve perfection. Santa Clause and his role as gift bringer to the good, and Christmas as the story of Jesus Christ’s birth can easily seem like two unrelated ideas of Christmas, but this story shows that it doesn’t have to be like that.
I love this story so much that I will read it to my family on Christmas day—and my child is twenty one!
December 17, 2014
Adorable and Heartwarming
The night before the night before Christmas is an adorable heart-warming tale that I would recommend to everyone, young and old. It tells the story of Elfie, one of Santa’s elves who spends the whole day working on one toy, while his comrades rush to complete all the presents for the children of the world.
It holds a sweet message, that sometimes speed and volume of productivity isn’t the best thing. That it’s okay to spend a lot of time on one thing if you make it perfect. This is something that people can forget in this modern age and it’s important to remember this and teach to children.
The story ties together two Christmas traditions in a beautifully understated way. I think linking them like this is a great way of introducing them to children.
The illustrations enhance and complement the story, making you fall in love with the characters immediately. Not to mention how incredibly skilled the artwork is. The entire production of the book is of a highly professional standard. It is a good, large size and comfortable to hold while lying in bed reading to your child, which is just what you want from this kind of children’s book.
I recommend this book for the AIA Seal of Excellence.
Thanks for finally talking about >The Night Before The Night
Before Christmas – Awesome Indies Book Awards <Loved it!
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