REVIEW: The Mice Before Christmas by Anne L. Watson, illustrations by Wendy Edelson
Everyone knows what happened on The Night Before Christmas, as described in Clement Clarke Moore’s beloved poem — but what ELSE happened on that wondrous night. Here at last is a companion poem to reveal all: The holiday hustle and bustle in the mouse house since early that morning. The evening party for all the mouse friends and relations, with presents, feasting, and dancing. And to top it all off, a visit from Santa Mouse himself! Never before told, this mice-eye story, presented in lively verse and luscious watercolors, is sure to find a place in your heart beside the original classic.
Review
This is clever and adorable. It takes the classic “The Night Before Christmas” and doesn’t just switch the protagonists to Victorian mice but invents a whole new world for them – one with lavish house decorations, a huge tree, baking, presents, feasting, and dancing. And this is even before Santa Mouse arrives on his red sled pulled by eight gold and white hamsters!
When all was inside, Santa came in the house,
And he filled up a stocking for each little mouse.
Then all the big toys, he set under the tree
While he joked and he laughed. It was jolly to see!
After all that preparation and partying, the exhausted mice are too tired to dream of sugarplums. Listed for children ages 4-9, I think adults will enjoy it, too. A-
~Jayne
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