a nostalgic night before Christmas

Roger Duvoisin’s The Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin
originally published in 1954
republished in 2014 by Alfred A. Knopf

‘Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse.

I wouldn’t want to guess how many illustrated versions of The Night Before Christmas have been done since Clement Moore wrote the poem in the 1800s.

Artist Roger Duvoisin brought his brilliant color and design to it back in 1954. 

Just look at that charming, retro town. The boxy shapes of the houses and paned-windows are just like every child ever drew. The four, bold colors electrify the page.

Darling bedsteads and cheery rag rugs scream 1950s as well.

Perhaps my favorite part of Duvoisin’s version is the cutaway views of Santa shoofting up and down the chimney.

So much better than just watching him emerge, sooty, from the bottom.

It’s been 60 years, and now this nostalgic loveliness has been republished. It’s easy, once again, to purchase this tall, skinny book, shaped just like the chimney St. Nick’s soon to come down in houses the world over.

Great last minute gift for young and old alike!