Hello, friends! Our book today is The Night Before Christmas, written by Clement C. Moore and illustrated by Lindsay Dale-Scott!

A festive board book brings the classic holiday story to life, with a few surprises along the way. You know how it goes: “‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house…”. A trimmed and decorated home, little ones fast asleep and dreaming of treats, even the mice tucked in and silent for the night. It’s Dad who wakes up at the sound of jingling bells and prancing hooves, and happens upon Santa as the jolly old elf goes about his work.

Practically everyone of a certain age who celebrates Christmas has heard Clement’s classic rhyme; the abridged version used here is a perfect length for the youngest of bookworms, including the most recognizable phrases and themes. Dale-Scott’s illustrations are bright, gentle, and colorful; crisp lines around familiar holiday shapes and characters are eye-catching but not overstimulating. The main draw of this version is the integrated lights on the last page, which use a switch-operated battery pack to toggle five twinkling stars in the sky. It’s cute but, to be honest, slightly underwhelming – I flicked the switch beforehand as instructed, expecting a light show and receiving five yellow LEDs that flickered occasionally at the end. Still, it would certainly make for a cozy Christmas Eve read together, and the LEDs and battery pack are secure enough that the book can be safely explored by toddlers and up throughout the year. Overall, a fun holiday treat, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)