'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas

What Tavares's (Zachary's Ball) monochrome art for this famous poem may lack in seasonal palette, it more than makes up for in authenticity. The artist pays homage to the original text, incorporating the spellings and phrasings of 1823, the year in which the verse first appeared in a Troy, N.Y., newspaper. Stark yet lushly textured pencil drawings, recalling the work of Chris Van Allsburg, capture the mystery, surprise and anticipation of what many children consider the most magical night of the year. The finely wrought portraits and shadowy, snow-covered Victorian setting will enchant. Ages 5-up. (Oct.)