Donna Wyland

A rhyming celebration of the true essence of Christmas.

‘Twas the night before Jesus and all through the land, lived people not knowing that God would be man. 'Twas the Night Before Jesus is a skilfully crafted rhyming picture book, based on the famous festive poem by Clement Clarke Moore. Wyland refreshes the classic Christmas verse, to tell the story of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The book provides a great introduction to the life of Jesus Christ and is accessible for readers of all ages. It begins prior to Christ’s birth and follows his journey from Bethlehem, to Egypt and Nazareth. It ends with a modern-day scene of a family sitting by the fire and sharing a book on Christmas Eve. “Happy Birthday to Jesus!’ and to all a good night.”

Written in rhyme, with delightful and funny illustrations by Courtney Smith, this book will captivate both children and adults. I particularly enjoyed the charming, cartoon-like illustrations, and the characterisation of the animals and the baby Jesus.  Inspired by the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem, Twas the night before Christmas, the book pays homage to the timeless original while reminding readers of the true meaning of Christmas. The book follows a similar rhythm and meter to the original poem, and readers will enjoy reading / singing this aloud.  It has a comforting familiarity, while offering a biblical perspective on the original poem.

Overall, the book beautifully captures the magic and wonder of the festive season, while reminding readers of the true meaning of Christmas.

Star rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A perfect bedtime story to share with younger readers on Christmas Eve.