This was such a great read! It was very entertaining and the storyline was great. Thank you for the advanced copy!

This was a wonderful surprise of a children's book. It had the author's backstory as well as the poem's history. It also had a glossary and definitions of similes. I liked that the poem had a border around it and that the next page was a full picture. I would recommend this book to children 2-4 and older. It was an interesting and insightful read.

I absolutely adored this book!

This is a Classic story that is often read at Christmas time, it is no surprise that there are a lot of different versions of the poem out there but I will honestly say that this has been my favourite - I loved it!

The illustrations in the book are so beautiful, they are warm and the colours are perfect. I loved each one in the book, they are outstanding and really bring so much to this book. I loved the family in the book being Polar Bears - my daughter thought that they were excellent.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, I loved the whole thing from cover to cover, it was a beautiful book - the illustrations were just wonderful - very highly recommended!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my copy of The Night Before Christmas A Polar Bear Family Edition; A Rhyming Picture Book About Love and Family by Clement Clarke Moore in exchange for an honest review. It published November 24, 2024.
Always a lovely classic at Christmastime, and the illustrations in this iteration are beautiful. I loved that a biography was included, a glossary, and similes and metaphors. Definitely made me, (a homeschool teacher), happy to see!
This would make a wonderful gift for any kid in your life!

No matter how old my children are, their Christmas doesn't feel complete until they've gathered around to read this classic poem. So, I'm always curious to see the different presentations and accompanying artwork. There is a lot to appreciate about this iteration.

The artwork features a polar bear family and Santa. The bright crisp illustrations add the right amount of warmth to the overall atmosphere. While different, it still feels Christmasy and has appeal. There are some interesting extras added in, and some may like these, and some may just flip through them, but the option to check them out is there and I can appreciate that. My hands down favorite addition is a list of the reindeer's names and their meanings. There's also a glossary of terms that may be unfamiliar to younger readers. The entire original poem that was published in 1823 is included along with a little history on Moore. The usage of similes and metaphors is discussed with examples of each pulled from the poem.

It was hard to overlook the illustration of the cubs emptying their stocking is placed prior to the one of Santa filling them.

For polar bear fans and those who are looking for something that goes beyond the original poem this could be a good fit.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing the Advance Reading Copy

Advent calendars have appeared and the Christmas tree is up, full of lights and decorations.

It is time to break open my special library of Christmas tales and magical adventures over this special season.

A annual favourite is “T’was the night before Christmas.” How wonderful to find a new version of this famous poem from the early 19th century, tweaked to be more readable and attentive to the modern ear. This enjoyable reworking of the classic, takes nothing away from the original.

It images a polar bear family being visited in the story by Santa Claus and his eight reindeer. The pages are boldly and colourfully illustrated and the text broken down into easy to manage blocks.

The original poem is reprinted separately in full and you read it afterwards appreciating the subtlety and craft of Lucy Bozzi.

As a grandparent there is no greater joy than sharing with a new young generation of children, books and stories from my own youth and those read to my daughters.

To have such a book as this is a real blessing. It places the author and his poem into context. Gives it a modern and vibrant twist while celebrating its historical worth. I loved the additional details about poetic form and methods. The language and to keep it relevant there is a glossary of terms to enhance my grandchildren’s understand.

A perfect addition and a worthwhile early Christmas gift.

Such a cute book!! A twist on a classic, having the pictures of polar bears. The illustrations were beautiful, and I liked the extra information included!!

This is the classic tale of The Night Before Christmas. The story is the same that you know and love, but this one uses the original text. Some of the words were not familiar to us, but there’s a helpful glossary at the end! I loved the beautiful illustrations which feature a polar bear family getting ready for Christmas. This would make a wonderful addition for any family’s bookshelf.

A fun and educational take on the beloved classic. A family of Polar Bears make this book just that more special. The illustrations are beautiful and fun. My child adored the polar bears and learning the history behind the original story and artist. I also so happy to see an author throw in the ability for the story to be educational. Will definitely be purchasing this book!

I loved this version of the Night Before Christmas. I highly recommend it for home educators, teachers, and parents who are actively involved in their childrens' education. The resources within this book are extremely helpful for little children like the glossary, history of original author, contractions, and more. Not to mention, the beautiful illustrations! This book is captivating for both adults and children.

The classic holiday book that I read to my children every Christmas Eve has now been updated to feature a family of polar bears, a perfect book to read to my grandson on Christmas Eve. The illustrations are wonderful.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Night Before Christmas (Illustrated): A Polar Bear Family Edition

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As someone who cherishes holiday traditions, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into The Night Before Christmas (Illustrated): A Polar Bear Family Edition by Clement Clarke Moore, narrated by Lucy Bozzi and beautifully illustrated by Ilya Tolochka. This enchanting picture book is a delightful twist on the classic Christmas poem we all know and love.

The story transports readers into a whimsical winter wonderland, where a cozy polar bear family anticipates the arrival of Santa Bear in their charming snow-covered cabin. It’s the perfect setting for capturing the joy and magic of Christmas. With every turn of the page, the excitement builds as Santa Bear prepares to make their dreams come true, echoing the timeless sentiment of the original poem.

One of my favorite aspects of this edition is how it stays true to the iconic verses penned back in 1823. The nostalgia of A Visit from Saint Nicholas is palpable, and I appreciate how the authors have honored that legacy while adding a fresh, heartwarming narrative that appeals to both children and adults alike.

The illustrations are simply adorable! Ilya Tolochka’s watercolor art is bright, festive, and perfectly encapsulates the coziness of the holiday season. Each image is a feast for the eyes, making it a joy to share this book with loved ones. It truly brings the story to life in a way that will engage readers of all ages.

Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the educational elements included at the end of the book. There’s a thoughtful glossary that explains the meanings behind the reindeer names, as well as a list of metaphors, similes, and contractions. These features enrich the reading experience and provide fantastic opportunities for learning as children grow older—what a clever way to blend fun with education!

Moreover, I adore the personalized "This Book Belongs To" page—it's such a beautiful touch that makes this book an ideal keepsake gift for boys and girls of all ages. Whether you’re reading it aloud to your family or using it in a classroom setting, this edition is perfect for creating cherished memories during the holiday season.

In conclusion, The Night Before Christmas (Illustrated): A Polar Bear Family Edition is not just a book; it's a celebration of love, family, and the magic of Christmas. I wholeheartedly give it five stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful picture book to share with their loved ones during this special time of year!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

The illustrations in this edition of The Night Before Christmas are sweet and the bears are a unique take on the book. This would be a great December read for any family.

While The Night Before Christmas story is not new, the extra features of this book are. The glossary is helpful for all those words we no longer regulary use and information on metaphors, similes, and contractions help explain the phrases. The watercolor illustrations are super cute!

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a very cool version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. My daughter liked the illustrations and I really enjoyed the history about Clement Clarke Moore. It was short and sweet and drew you in to want to know more about his life. And I love that they used the original poem published in 1823! Definitely has some different wording you’ll notice if you’re familiar with the poem.

This is perfect for the holiday season up ahead with the beautiful artwork and the twist on this classic story. But what makes this book unique is that it not only features a beautiful story but also has educational add-ons included. It includes a glossary, explains similes and metaphors, contractions, an explanation about the names of the reindeer and even a background of the author: Clement Clark Moore! There also is this sweet addition called "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas." I feel like this is the perfect Christmas book as a keepsake, educational tool or a countdown to christmas tradition with themed holiday books.

This is an amazing Christmas book with a classic Christmas story. The illustrations are bright and cheerful and beautifully enhance the story. The additional content included makes this book both fun and educational and allows the reader to explore this classic story with more depth and understanding. I appreciate the thoughtful and thorough information included in this picture book.

Although this poem is over 200 years old it is still a delight for young and old. This version is colourful with engaging pictures. I like that there is an explanation of the history of the poem and it supports readers to understand the English curriculum.