The Night Before Christmas

Description

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..." 'The Night Before Christmas' was first published in 1823 and is considered as being largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-19th century through to today. The enchanting poem tells the story of a man who, while his wife and children are fast asleep, awakens on Christmas Eve to curious noises coming from outside his house. As he looks out of the window he witnesses a sleigh, pulled by eight reindeer, flying high across the sky before landing, to the man's great surprise, on the roof of his very own house. The events that follow mark the beginning of the tradition of Santa Claus and the joy that he brings to children on Christmas night. This new gift edition brings together the traditional poem with stunning new illustrations by the award-winning Australian artist Robert Ingpen, each one a delightful evocation of this eternally popular work. AUTHOR: Clement C. Moore (1779 1863) was a professor of Oriental and Greek literature at Columbia College (now Columbia University) in New York. The poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' was first published anonymously in 1823 but was later attributed to Moore and was included in an 1844 anthology of his works. Moore's former land in New York is noted today by Clement Clarke Moore Park where local residents often gather on the last Sunday before Advent for a reading of his most famous poem. ILLUSTRATOR: Robert Ingpen was born in 1936 in Geelong, Australia, and still lives and works nearby in Barwon Heads. In 1986, he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his contribution to children's literature and he has been honoured with Membership of the Order of Australia. SELLING POINTS: New, small format gift edition Illustrated by the acclaimed artist Robert Ingpen 30 colour images

Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) was a writer and American Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City. Robert Ingpen was born in 1936 in Australia. In 1986 he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his contribution to children's literature.