Review by Booklist Review
Handsome prints with thick black outlines and strong colors, coupled with a deceptively simple design, make this presentation of the classic poem stand out from other beautifully illustrated editions. Young children, especially, will be attracted by the bold, bright images, featuring Santa dressed in cherry red, the wintry night in shades of blue and white, and warm gold interiors. The formal layout features black, elegant type on a white background, on most spreads facing a single framed image. Occasional full-page spreads are striking, especially one showing a close-up of Santa holding the reins, with hooves and the back end of one reindeer just visible, giving the impression that Santa's sleigh is about to fly off the page. The traditional text might make for difficult reading for those unfamiliar with the poem; the old-fashioned phrasing may even trip up adults reading out loud. (Phrases such as As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly don't exactly roll off the tongue.) But this will be savored, read, and reread at holiday time.--Foote, Diane Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With their strong black lines and deep colors, Wormell's signature block prints are a fittingly iconic pairing for Moore's holiday classic. Wormell sets the tone from the outset with a solemn portrait of a shingled house, dead quiet under a clear winter's night sky. Before long, Santa appears, and Wormell delivers several (almost too many) stately images of the "right jolly old elf," as he goes about his business. Though the illustrations can feel overly literal, this is an enchanting and elegant adaptation. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-The Christmas poem gets a bold yet classic new look with Wormell's stunning linoleum-block print illustrations. For the most part, the text, in fanciful font, is on the verso and a print, often outlined in black and drenched in deep blues, reds, and blacks, is on the right; there are also several spreads. The effect is somewhat retro, evoking magazine illustrations from the '20s and '30s, yet also modern in its impeccable design. Children and adults alike will appreciate this stylish version.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The well-known story of Christmas Eve and Santa Claus is illustrated with happy, humorous cut- and torn-paper collage. Portions of the illustrations are supposed to glow in the dark, but they need prolonged exposure to bright light to work, and the effect fades quickly. Purists may object to all eight reindeer having bright red noses. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The famous poem is presented here with a cast of charming mice, including Santa Mouse in the starring role. He is shown on the glitter-accented cover flying in his mouse-sized sleigh with his team of eight tiny reindeer that truly fit that description. The attractive design features a large format with pages of heavy cardstock, and each double-page spread includes touches of glitter highlighting snow, stars and decorations. Appealing watercolors depict a cozy home ready for the holiday, with one spread showing a cutaway view like an open dollhouse. The illustrations follow an old-fashioned interpretation of the well-loved poem, with mice taking the place of the characters. The choice of mice to tell the story gives new meaning to the phrase "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Sweet, but probably not lasting. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
