The Night Before Christmas
Clement C. Moore (1779-1863) wrote the original version of this poem as "A Visit from St Nicholas", and it was published for the first time in 1823 by a New York newspaper, The Sentinel. Bernadine Stetzel, the illustrator, lives in Ohio and is a professional artist who paints in the style of American primitive.  Her detailed, brightly-colored collection of paintings have been exhibited nationally and hung in public and private galleries throughout the United States and Europe. She has been painting since she was twelve years old. Her other talents include hand-painting 3-dimensional woodcuts, designing and creating handmade quilts and handmade dolls. This is her third published children’s book.