Few poems have captured so many imaginations as Clement C. Moore’s A Visit From St. Nicholas.
Nearly two centuries after its first publication, it remains
ever-popular, particularly in the realm of picture books. Last year saw
the release of The Night Before Christmas, a lavish Imagine
Publishing book with paintings by Eric Puybaret and a three-track CD by
Peter, Paul and Mary. Indeed, this bonus album – particularly the second
track – appears to have been the main reason for this edition.
I
received the book for Christmas last year, but I heard about it earlier
in December when Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey were making the
morning show circuit talking about the book, which they dedicated to
Mary Travers, who died in 2009 of complications from leukemia. While the
first and third tracks on the CD are, as best as I can determine,
gleaned from the trio’s live Holiday Celebration
concert in the 1980s, the second track features Mary reading the story,
with background music added later by Peter and Paul. It was her final
recording, making this a very special keepsake for Peter, Paul and Mary
fans.
I’m certainly one of those, having been introduced to the
group by an aunt determined to make an enthusiast out of me. At least,
that was the first I recall being specifically aware of them as a trio,
though I know I first heard Puff the Magic Dragon as a toddler,
and while I might have been mostly familiar with kiddie versions, I find
it hard to believe I made it to the age of eight without hearing their
original rendition. In any case, could the gal who loved the soothing
harmonies and intricate lyrics of Simon and Garfunkel fail to fall for the grassroots power and vocal majesty of Peter, Paul and Mary? It was only a matter of time.
In
Mary’s recording, her voice teeters on faint; it’s plain that she is
not as robust as she once was. Nonetheless, her reading sparkles with
warmth and enthusiasm, and the playful background vocalizations of her
old friends are an affectionate tribute to their bond. In the first
track, Paul sings the song to guitar accompaniment, filling the melody
he co-composed with expressive nuances. He sings with such laughter in
his voice that smiling along is practically inevitable. The third track
is A-Soalin’, a complex acoustic song about carolers singing for
their supper. It doesn’t have a very direct connection to the book, but
it is a harmonious song of Christmas cheer, and it also happens to
mention the names Peter and Paul.
Obviously, this edition is of
particular interest to fans of this iconic folk trio, but it’s an
excellent find for anyone looking for a handsome copy of the poem for
the family library. The paintings are vibrant, with rich yellows, deep
reds and a hushed bluish-white blanket of snow surrounding the house in
which St. Nicholas makes his grand appearance. Unusual elements include
the verdant robes the reindeer wear, the creative and seemingly homemade
toys found throughout the house and the tiny, luminescent fairies who
flit through the living room as St. Nick leaves his gifts. The poem is
entirely intact, and this is about as straightforward a version as you
are likely to find. I was a bit surprised that the narrator drops out of
the illustrations after throwing up the sash in his room, but this
leaves more room to zero in on the character kids are most interested
in.
If you don’t have a picture book version of Moore’s poem in
your home, consider getting this one. If, like me, you’ve encountered
multiple versions and have a tough time deciding on a favorite, you’ll
definitely want to add this one into the consideration. Imagine
Publishing’s The Night Before Christmas is a timeless edition of a
classic tale and a last labor of love for a trio whose output spanned
half a century and whose influence will go on much longer.
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