Take A Moment To Imagine . . .
Publisher’s Description
Creatures of the ocean celebrate Christmas Eve in an undersea retelling of “A Visit by St. Nicholas” by Rev. Clement C. Moore. Under the waves and surrounded by swaying ocean eel grass, Sea Santa makes his yearly Christmas journey. Pulled in his clamshell sleigh by his eight faithful minnows, beautiful watercolor paintings illustrate his visit to a family of lobsters. Told in sweet and clever rhyme, The Lobsters’ Night Before Christmas combines a holiday classic with delightful newness. After the poem, children can learn fun facts about lobsters, such as what they look like, what they eat, and how they molt. See if you can find the lobster hiding in the eel grass throughout the book!
- Title: The Lobsters’ Night Before Christmas
- Author: Christina Laurie
- Illustrated by Elizabeth Moisan
- Publisher: Schiffer (October 28, 2019)
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Genre: Picture Book / Christmas
- Click to see some of the pages
My Thoughts
First, the cover of this book is so rich-looking that it draws you in. The lobster is sitting in a clamshell with a bag on his back. He is being pulled by minnows that are filling in for the reindeer we are familiar with. And the title is beautiful gold lettering. The book begs you to peek inside.
And when you do, you won’t be disappointed. Even the dust jacket is fun. It isn’t cut straight, as it folds over the edge of the book, but in the shape of a Christmas tree.
The familiar poem is changed with new wording and accompanied by watercolor illustrations.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the ocean
Not a creature was stirring, there was simply no motion.
©Schiffer Publications
This familiar story gives the reader a fun glimpse of what might be happening under the sea on Christmas eve. Could Sea Nick be delivering gifts to excited young ones?
The last page is filled with facts about lobsters. Each heading only has a short paragraph under it, but enough for a picture book. The titles are
- Description
- What Lobsters Look Like
- What Lobsters Eat
- Molting
- Reproduction
- Climate Change And Lobsters
My appreciation to Schiffer Publishing for giving me this book to review. I was under no obligation to do anything other than honestly give my thoughts.
What Concerned Me
Nothing
What I Liked Most
The book is not only original and fun, but I’m a fan of the lobster facts that accompany the story.
About The Author
Poet, preacher, and author Christina Laurie has won many poetry prizes since her first haiku was published in 1976. Her haiku and poetry have appeared in Canada, England, and Japan and across the United States. A United Methodist minister for 12 years, followed by chaplaincy work for hospice, Christina now resides on Cape Cod with her sibling cats and a multitude of birds, foxes, coyotes, and other critters that hang out in the woods behind her home. She blends stories she has created with her grandchildren with nature and life on Cape Cod. She is a member of SCBWI and numerous poetry associations and held offices both locally and nationally, including serving as national chaplain with the National League of American Pen Women for 12 years. She currently lectures and teaches in schools, churches, women’s groups, and libraries.
