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The Night Before Christmas

by Clement C. Moore

The famous poem about a visit from St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve

1823Fast paceWarm

What it is about

A father is woken on Christmas Eve by a noise on the roof and finds Santa Claus arriving with his reindeer. The poem was first published in 1823 under the title A Visit from St. Nicholas. It shaped the popular image of Santa Claus.

Who will enjoy it

Families who read at Christmas.

What you will get

A seasonal read-aloud tradition with many illustrated editions.

The Night Before Christmas Facts: Pages, Genre and Setting

Genre

Children’s Books · Christmas · Poem · Tradition

Length

32 pages · ≈ 1 h

More about this book

Characters

Santa Claus and a father at home.

Setting

A house on Christmas Eve.

What makes it different

The poem gave many of Santa’s traditions their familiar form.

Feel

Cozy, rhythmic and festive.

About Clement C. Moore

Clement C. Moore1 book on Tori BooksAmerican writer and professor (1779–1863). The Night Before Christmas appeared in 1823.

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