'Twas the Night B'Fore Christmas: An African-American Version

I just loved it. My daughter, a kindergardener brought it home from the library today, and here I am purchasing it already it was so enjoyable. I am a white woman (if it matters). I dislike what feels to me like no diversity in children's books, or rather the kinds of stories I was raised on 40 years ago. Likewise I don't like the lack of diversity in toys, movies...neither of my children fit the 'retail' norm. To me, this was not so much "An African American Version" as a just a book I loved to read and they loved to hear. There was a different word here or there than the version I seem to have memorized accidentally (no matter, I never could figure out what a sugar plum was anyway). I love it that the book is so big, makes the already wonderful illustrations more enjoyable and easier for my kids to see as they lay on either side of me when I read. The book focuses on The Night Before Christmas, not the night before Christmas in a black household, so I liked that too. And I was especially happy my daughter selected this book since she is biracial (again, if that matters), my son is also biracial and disabled, and I feel it is so easy to find non-minority books and toys and movies I love everyday finds like this book. Now if Walt Disney would be so kind as to give us an African American princess (for starters), I'd be much obliged.I hope everything I said would compel anyone of any nationality to get this book.

Finally! Too good to miss! I am a grade school librarian and I am always searching for books that speak to our children. I have ordered other titles by this author/illustrator and will be looking forward to more from Ms. Rosales.

Exquisite illustrations bring vivid new life to this traditional holiday poem. Portraying an African-American family and Santa Claus, Melodye Rosales gives readers the gift of broadening their visions to include, "candy and sweet short'nin' bread." Old Saint Nick never looked so good nor acted so spry as he's "jumpin', an a-hoppin'--/doin' the pigeonwing." The expressions on the faces of the father and little baby convey the joy and suprise of a midnight Christmas visit from an avuncular and charming Santa. The perfect book for a Christmas present!