The Night Before Christmas »

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
PETER, PAUL AND MARY became famous for their ability to convey powerful personal and political messages through a repertoire of songs that resonated with millions of Americans in the 1960s. Their debut album, released in 1962, remained in the Top 10 for ten months, and the Top 20 for two years. Their first hit single, “Lemon Tree” was swiftly followed by "If I Had a Hammer," which became an anthem of the Civil Rights movement” and was performed by the trio at the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech. Their classic song, “Puff, The Magic Dragon,” has been a favorite of children for almost fifty years, and the book version was a number one bestseller. Over a span of more than fifty years, Peter, Paul and Mary touched the lives and hearts of tens of millions of people, won five Grammy Awards, produced thirteen Top 40 hits, and received eight gold and five platinum albums.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
ERIC PUYBARET has created the perfect setting for The Night Before Christmas with his captivating art. He also brought to life the magic of “Over the Rainbow” and the imaginative world of “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” both best sellers. Renowned in his native France, his work has been reviewed as “elegantly rendered” by the New York Times, “graceful and whimsical” by Publishers Weekly, and “lovely . . . and indeed magical” by Kirkus Reviews.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
CLEMENT C. MOORE is the author of A Visit from St. Nicholas (now more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas). He was born in 1779, and became a professor of Oriental and Greek literature at what is now Columbia University. The poem was first published in the New York Sentinel on December 23, 1823.
 

America’s most-loved holiday poem is now presented by one of the world’s favorite musical groups, and illustrated by the artist of the best-selling Puff, the Magic Dragon.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a reading of Clement C. Moore’s classic verse, which has brightened the season ever since it was first published in 1823. And now this heartwarming poem is more dazzling than ever before. Acclaimed painter Eric Puybaret enchantingly captures the story’s magic and wide-eyed wonder: a cozy home with stockings hung by a mantel; visions of sugarplums dancing in the dreams of sleeping children; a miniature sleigh pulled by eight prancing reindeer; and of course, jolly Santa, with his merry dimples and twinkling eyes, coming down the chimney with a bagful of toys.

Along with the beautiful book comes a specially created three-track musical and narrative CD, including Moore’s tale stunningly set to music by Noel Paul Stookey, an enchanting reading by Mary Travers over a special score composed by Peter Yarrow with Peter and Noel joining Mary one last time in her final performance, plus the classic Peter, Paul and Mary holiday favorite, “A’ Soalin.” Families will gather together to read and listen and experience Moore’s wondrous world as never before.

Publishers Weekly

In the elegant paper-over-board 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas by Moore, illus. by Jessie Willcox Smith, the 19th-century artist's pen-and-ink spot art graces four lines of text on the left of each oblong spread, while silhouetted full-color paintings appear on the right. This is a beauty. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.