Product Description

"It may be hard to believe, but there was once a time when Santa Claus only needed three or four elves to run his workshop. His annual Christmas Eve journey was mush shorter back then too, as most children outside of Holland and Germany didn't even know who Santa was. But then, in 1823, everything changed. In December of that year, The Troy Sentinel, a newspaper in upstate New York, printed an anonymous poem entitled "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas." This was the first time many children in America had heard of Santa Claus. Naturally, they wondered what might happen if they hung their stockings by the chimney, just like the children in the poem. On Christmas Eve of that year, many tried it. Sure enough, when those children awoke on Christmas morning, they were greeted by the sweet smells of sugarplums and the thrill of new, handcarved toys. News of this incredible phenomenon spread quickly. Soon the poem was reprinted all over the world, and Santa Claus has been a very busy man ever since."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86010 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

About the Author
Matt Tavares is a graduate of Bates College in Maine and the author-illustrator of Zachary's Ball. He says of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, "As a child, I would lie quietly in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to sleep, listening carefully for any sign that Santa Claus and his reindeer might be on the roof. There were times when I was sure I heard sleigh bells. But I never experienced the thrill of actually seeing him come down the chimney. Maybe someday..." Matt Tavares lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Totally Magical!
If you are a fan of this Christmas poem, this is definitely the book for you. The illustrations are absolutely magical and totally capture the spirit of Christmas. This is compulsory reading on Christmas Eve around a roaring fire for adults and children alike! A book that should be on everyones shelves and brought down and enjoyed once a year. 10/10.

Christmas is coming!
I bought a copy of this for my 3 year old son before Christmas, (I remember this book being read to me by my parents before christmas every year when I was little). It is a magical tale and really gets you in the Christmas spirit. My son loved it and we read it nearly every night leading up to Christmas. The illustrations in this copy are really lovely and the price is a fantastic. I can't wait to read it to him next year...

Twas the Night before Christmas
Excellent book with lovely illistrations. I can't wait until Christmas eve when i can read it to my two young children. I am extremely happy with the look and style of the book and the fact that it is a hard copy. I have bought several copies for friends and family who have young children.