Saturday, December 3, 2022

Today's read... The Mice Before Christmas by Anne L. Watson

Today's read take a spin on the well-known Christmas story by Clement Clarke Moore. I've always been a fan of holiday mouse tales and couldn't pass on giving this one a peek. Ready to see if it is one to grab up and snuggle down with?



THE MICE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
A Mouse House Tale of the Night Before Christmas 
by Anne L. Watson
Illustrated by Wendy Edelson
Skyhook Press
Picture Book / Holiday
36 pages
ages 4 to 8



"'Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse."
 
Everyone knows these lines from Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" or "The Night Before Christmas." But how many know why all those mice were already in bed, or what they were up to before that?
 
Here at last is a companion poem to reveal all: The holiday hustle and bustle in the mouse house since early that morning. The evening party for all the mouse friends and relations, with presents, feasting, and dancing. And to top it all off, a visit from Santa Mouse himself!
 
Never before told, this mice-eye story is sure to find a place in your heart beside the original classic.


GOODREADS  /   AMAZON   /   B&N   


MY TIDBITS

The hustle and bustle of Christmas takes on wonderful, mice charm in a nod toward the well-known poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

The book starts with a few quick words from the author, explaining how this tale is inspired from the traditional poem, but with a very distinct flair and direction. Then, it dives right in...and what a gorgeously illustrated book it is!

A bit heavier on the text than some picture books, this makes a nice read aloud to cuddle up with on or before Christmas Day. It's written in rhyme and flows usually very well. The entire thing takes on the same style as the Night Before Christmas, sliding in some vocabulary, which might need explaining. This also builds the word knowledge without bogging down and ruining the read. It does get a little long for restless listeners, but great slightly older ones in the intended audience range.

My favorite part of this book is the illustrations. They are extremely well done, hold tons and tons of details to make revisiting fun, and carry the some traditional style as the writing. It's a treat to gaze at these as the lively mice get ready for the holidays.


And here they are...

Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of "Katie Mouse and the Perfect Wedding," "Katie Mouse and the Christmas Door," "The Secret of Gingerbread Village," and other children's books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard.
 
Wendy Edelson is the award-winning illustrator of "The Baker's Dozen," "Quackling," "Christmas Truce," "Which Shoes Do You Choose?", and many more children's books. She has applied her talent to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association.

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