Friday, November 28, 2014

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas by Jay Dee, Book Review



By: Jay Dee
Illustrated by: Darren Geers
Published by: Kraine Kreative
Released on: 11.3.14
Source: book from author to review, in exchange for my honest review
Rating: 3 Owls
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At Santa’s workshop, the night before the night before Christmas is hardly a time to rest. The elves work tirelessly to get the final toys made before Christmas Eve, but Elfie just can’t keep pace. He spends too much time making his toys perfect, and when Santa comes to check on production, everyone is surprised by his reaction.

It's the night before the night before Christmas and the elves are frantically trying to get the last of the toys made before Santa's inspection. One of Santa's elves, Elfie, isn't ready yet. He has spent all day working on one present. In working hard to make the toy train perfect, he hasn't finished the rest of his list of toys to make. With Santa's arrival,  he fears he's let Santa down. Not only that, he's let his lead elf, Nathan down. Nathan kept telling him to stop spending so much time on the one toy. Santa surprises Elfie. He tells him that the train is perfect, and it's Elfie's best work yet. He tells him that the train is for someone special. Elfie wonders who it's for. When he asks Santa who it's for, Santa tells him it's for baby who's name is Jesus and who is being born in a stable in Bethlehem.

I liked how the author was trying to tie together the story of Jesus and Santa, but I felt the attempt failed by having Santa deliver a train to baby Jesus at the time of his birth in Bethlehem in a stable. Why would Santa take a train to baby Jesus? Giving a toy train to a baby Jesus at a time when trains didn't exist doesn't make sense to me.  I liked the idea of Santa wanting to give a gift to Jesus, even though the belief in Santa wasn't around during this time. I would have loved it if Santa had told about the birth of the Savior, and had the train gift symbolize the importance of giving to others.

Overall I liked the book, and I think it helps children understand the gift of the Savior's birth with modern day gift giving.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~