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The Lobsters' Night Before Christmas
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!
- GenresChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2019
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 3, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, Christina Laurie, Elizabeth Moisan and Schiffer Publishing Ltd for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars.
This was really creative. I enjoyed reading it and through the story was very well done. I liked the lightness to the illustrations. They weren't heavily detailed but they didn't need to be. The worked well with the text. This is definitely for sea creature fans. It was cute and a fun retelling of a classic.
4 stars.
This was really creative. I enjoyed reading it and through the story was very well done. I liked the lightness to the illustrations. They weren't heavily detailed but they didn't need to be. The worked well with the text. This is definitely for sea creature fans. It was cute and a fun retelling of a classic.
November 25, 2019
I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
What an absolutely adorable book for children. I love the use of sea creatures for this christmas rhyming story and thought it was a fantastic idea!
This is a book I want to get a paper copy of and will be treasured for a long time in my house.
I loved the information it gives after the story about Lobsters too.
Beautiful artwork and a beautiful story to treasure!
What an absolutely adorable book for children. I love the use of sea creatures for this christmas rhyming story and thought it was a fantastic idea!
This is a book I want to get a paper copy of and will be treasured for a long time in my house.
I loved the information it gives after the story about Lobsters too.
Beautiful artwork and a beautiful story to treasure!
December 6, 2019
'Sea Santa' is coming on Christmas Eve -- with gifts for all the good fishes! I smiled and smiled while reading the entire book. This story truly captures the essence of The Night Before Christmas as played out in the ocean. I love that the lobsters in the story perform humanized actions -- such as enjoying a good book, or Sea Santa calling out the names of his sleigh minnows.
The watercolor paintings are remarkable. A good balance of realistic animals with a bit of whimsy, to capture kids' attentions.
(The perfect Christmas book if your child is studying sea creatures! Included at the end is a fact page about lobsters.)
Would make a lovely gift for any little reader.
The watercolor paintings are remarkable. A good balance of realistic animals with a bit of whimsy, to capture kids' attentions.
(The perfect Christmas book if your child is studying sea creatures! Included at the end is a fact page about lobsters.)
Would make a lovely gift for any little reader.
December 4, 2019
The watercolor illustrations are stunning and the book was informative. The rhyming beat seemed a bit off but I’m sure after a couple of read-alouds it can be naturally adjusted.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
December 26, 2019
This is a cute retelling of the night before Christmas poem with lobsters. Muted watercolor illustrations accompany a rhyming text that does a fairly good job of keeping the original story and rhythm, but changing it to a sea life slant.
He sprang to his sleigh, blowing bubbles galore
And the minnows swam to a neighboring shore.
I would have preferred more vibrant illustrations. They are very subdued even though it's beautiful art, and the text is almost hard to read since everything is so light. There are cute touches, though, like the lobster Santa filling skate cases with presents instead of stockings. The very end has information about lobster facts, such as what they eat and how they live.
If your family enjoys creative spins on books and rhymes like all the variations on the old lady who swallowed a fly, you're likely to enjoy this one. It would make a nice holiday book for kids who will be vacationing in lobster country or who live on the coast, too.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
He sprang to his sleigh, blowing bubbles galore
And the minnows swam to a neighboring shore.
I would have preferred more vibrant illustrations. They are very subdued even though it's beautiful art, and the text is almost hard to read since everything is so light. There are cute touches, though, like the lobster Santa filling skate cases with presents instead of stockings. The very end has information about lobster facts, such as what they eat and how they live.
If your family enjoys creative spins on books and rhymes like all the variations on the old lady who swallowed a fly, you're likely to enjoy this one. It would make a nice holiday book for kids who will be vacationing in lobster country or who live on the coast, too.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
November 25, 2019
Originally published on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Lobsters' Night Before Christmas is a sweetly illustrated homage/retelling of Rev. Clement Clark Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Released 28th Oct 2019 by Schiffer, it's 32 pages and available in hardcover format.
The story and poem will be familiar to virtually all readers. This retelling has the undersea Sea Claws driving a sleigh pulled by 8 little minnows. Elizabeth Moisan's beautiful watercolor illustrations invite readers to pause on each page to take a closer look and find more details. The text by poet Christina Laurie follows the same scansion (more or less) as the original poem (anapestic tetrameter in case my 10th grade English teacher is reading) and really is quite charming and humorous.
There is a neat glossary and informational page at the end of the book with biological info about lobsters and some ecological facts for further reading and discussion.
This would be a superlative choice for a read-along or library circle/activity read (maybe with more info available on climate and conservation issues). It would also be a great choice for a read-to-me adult/child bedtime story. There is also wide scope for some silly voices and sound effects.
Five stars. Charming, original, well written and beautifully illustrated.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Lobsters' Night Before Christmas is a sweetly illustrated homage/retelling of Rev. Clement Clark Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Released 28th Oct 2019 by Schiffer, it's 32 pages and available in hardcover format.
The story and poem will be familiar to virtually all readers. This retelling has the undersea Sea Claws driving a sleigh pulled by 8 little minnows. Elizabeth Moisan's beautiful watercolor illustrations invite readers to pause on each page to take a closer look and find more details. The text by poet Christina Laurie follows the same scansion (more or less) as the original poem (anapestic tetrameter in case my 10th grade English teacher is reading) and really is quite charming and humorous.
There is a neat glossary and informational page at the end of the book with biological info about lobsters and some ecological facts for further reading and discussion.
This would be a superlative choice for a read-along or library circle/activity read (maybe with more info available on climate and conservation issues). It would also be a great choice for a read-to-me adult/child bedtime story. There is also wide scope for some silly voices and sound effects.
Five stars. Charming, original, well written and beautifully illustrated.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 17, 2019
This is a refreshing retelling of the classic "A Visit by St. Nicholas" by Rev. Clement C. Moore, written in December 1823. It portrays underwater creatures eagerly waiting the arrival of Sea Santa to deliver their gifts. He finally appears in his clamshell sleigh powered by eight minnows ready to bless the creatures not only by his presence but with their presents.
"Skate cases were hung on the reef with care
In hopes that Sea Santa soon would be there."
"Dressed in a shell held by a white pearl,
And squishy green seaweed 'round his neck made a swirl.
A bundle of toys he held tight in his claws
And I knew in a moment it was surely Sea Claws."
Sea Santa didn't hang around long. He efficiently distributed the gifts and then sprang into his sleigh, and was off to a neighbouring shore. He was focused on his important mission.
"I heard him exclaim as they swam out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."
The watercolour paintings are muted, beautiful, and dreamlike. The clever rhyming is playful, imaginative and original. There are facts about lobsters at the end of the poem which adds an educational component to the book and a search-and-find element where kids can try and locate a lobster that is hiding in the eel grass throughout the book. It would be a fun choice for a family read on Christmas Eve. I like it very much and I highly recommend it.
"Skate cases were hung on the reef with care
In hopes that Sea Santa soon would be there."
"Dressed in a shell held by a white pearl,
And squishy green seaweed 'round his neck made a swirl.
A bundle of toys he held tight in his claws
And I knew in a moment it was surely Sea Claws."
Sea Santa didn't hang around long. He efficiently distributed the gifts and then sprang into his sleigh, and was off to a neighbouring shore. He was focused on his important mission.
"I heard him exclaim as they swam out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."
The watercolour paintings are muted, beautiful, and dreamlike. The clever rhyming is playful, imaginative and original. There are facts about lobsters at the end of the poem which adds an educational component to the book and a search-and-find element where kids can try and locate a lobster that is hiding in the eel grass throughout the book. It would be a fun choice for a family read on Christmas Eve. I like it very much and I highly recommend it.
December 1, 2019
This was a great alternate version of the traditional Night Before Christmas tale!
I thought that the way the author had adapted it to be based around lobsters and sea creatures was great and it was a thoroughly enjoyable short read. It is 4 stars from me for this one.
I thought that the way the author had adapted it to be based around lobsters and sea creatures was great and it was a thoroughly enjoyable short read. It is 4 stars from me for this one.
December 4, 2019
The premise of this was really cute, but when I read it to my children it did not seem to capture their attention. I feel like the colors could have been a lot more vibrant in the illustrations. I thought it was a clever spin on a familiar classic.
November 25, 2019
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."
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.
more reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com
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."
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.
more reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com
November 19, 2019
Every page rings a true love for lobster, while taking a sea spin on the most well-known Christmas poem.
Following true to The Night Before Christmas, the author switches things up just a little bit. Lobsters and their life under the water become the setting and characters with a new twist of words. Some moments will cause grins, while others a pause for wonder or thoughts. But when Sea Santa arrives, the magic takes over as it should.
While the change to the familiar poem is cute, this story also helps young listeners to learn more about lobsters and gain a greater respect for the creature. It's obvious that lobster love abounds on every page, along with a care for the sea. At the end of the book, there are some more tidbits and basic facts about lobsters.
The illustrations are done in watercolor and are beautiful. The life of the sea comes across in such a way which awakens the fantasy, while still presenting a fairly realistic scene (in so far as possible). It's fun simply to flip through the book and get lost in the undersea world.
I received a complimentary copy and while I was wondering, at first, how this twist on the original poem would be, I was happily surprised. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
Following true to The Night Before Christmas, the author switches things up just a little bit. Lobsters and their life under the water become the setting and characters with a new twist of words. Some moments will cause grins, while others a pause for wonder or thoughts. But when Sea Santa arrives, the magic takes over as it should.
While the change to the familiar poem is cute, this story also helps young listeners to learn more about lobsters and gain a greater respect for the creature. It's obvious that lobster love abounds on every page, along with a care for the sea. At the end of the book, there are some more tidbits and basic facts about lobsters.
The illustrations are done in watercolor and are beautiful. The life of the sea comes across in such a way which awakens the fantasy, while still presenting a fairly realistic scene (in so far as possible). It's fun simply to flip through the book and get lost in the undersea world.
I received a complimentary copy and while I was wondering, at first, how this twist on the original poem would be, I was happily surprised. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
December 7, 2019
This didn't fit the bill as a Christmas story for me. The Illustrations are wonderful and redone to reflect some sort of original underwater celebration that is for sea creatures (not Christmas maybe like a Poseidon celebration or the annual lobster migrations in response to the onset of winter and spring) that would be fitting and make sense.
I'm not sure why lobsters would celebrate Christmas so that throws me off and I feel it should be more sea life themed and reflect some sort of sea celebration.
I appreciate the author was trying to remake a classic but it doesn't work for me.
However, this book is fun and I believe reworked it can be a wonderful children's book and I truly enjoyed the artwork. I also think many small children may enjoy it anyway because its cute.
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
I'm not sure why lobsters would celebrate Christmas so that throws me off and I feel it should be more sea life themed and reflect some sort of sea celebration.
I appreciate the author was trying to remake a classic but it doesn't work for me.
However, this book is fun and I believe reworked it can be a wonderful children's book and I truly enjoyed the artwork. I also think many small children may enjoy it anyway because its cute.
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
December 2, 2019
If you are looking for a new Christmas favorite for your Eastern Shore family, look no further than this take on a classic. To be honest, i wasn't sure what to expect. The art work was simple and the story was just a bit unique. It follows the classic Night before Christmas and changes few words to fit the Lobster tale.
Not sure I would add this to my collection unless I was an avid lobster lover, or needed a funny gag gift. I appreciate what the author was seeking to do in recreating the classic, but in doing so it lost some of the Christmas magic for me and makes this book a bit "shallow". Sorry, not trying to be a scrooge. Just not the crustaceans I am looking for this Christmas.
Not sure I would add this to my collection unless I was an avid lobster lover, or needed a funny gag gift. I appreciate what the author was seeking to do in recreating the classic, but in doing so it lost some of the Christmas magic for me and makes this book a bit "shallow". Sorry, not trying to be a scrooge. Just not the crustaceans I am looking for this Christmas.
January 15, 2020
This is a cute addition to the plethora of alternate versions of Night Before Christmas. I enjoyed the artwork quite a bit, the soft watercolors had a nice, underwater feel, and it's fun looking for the little lobster hiding in the pictures. The story's alteration is well done, and the rhymes and illustrations together tell us about the life of lobsters, as do the notes at the end of the book. I especially enjoyed this because I did my first term paper on lobsters when I was in fourth grade! Ha! Anyway, I think kids will enjoy this, it's a fun holiday read, a worthy addition to any collection.
#TheLobstersNightBeforeChristmas #NetGalley
#TheLobstersNightBeforeChristmas #NetGalley
January 5, 2020
The Lobsters Night Before Christmas is a delightful children’s book in the tradition of The Night Before Christmas. The story is a Lobster’s version. The illustrations are simple but endearing. The book will make a great read aloud for a class, fit perfectly in a Christmas unit or make a wonderful gift for a family. As an educator I give this book a 5 for ability to be used in a school curriculum and for ability to been used in multiple subjects.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
November 27, 2019
I was given a copy of this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This little book is just co charming that I had a smile on my face the entire time I read it. My son was a big fan. The watercolor illustrations and underwater theme both reminded him of Swimmy, which is a book we both hold very dear.
Some of the rhymes really stretch it to fit the theme and rhyme scale, but you can tell a lot of love went into this little book which my son and I just adored.
This little book is just co charming that I had a smile on my face the entire time I read it. My son was a big fan. The watercolor illustrations and underwater theme both reminded him of Swimmy, which is a book we both hold very dear.
Some of the rhymes really stretch it to fit the theme and rhyme scale, but you can tell a lot of love went into this little book which my son and I just adored.
November 29, 2019
This was a cute take on the traditional Night Before Christmas story, but with lobsters. The illustrations were very nice. I would have liked it to feel more "wintery". The ocean with lobsters had a very summer feel, and it didn't quite sit right with me. Overall, it was a good read, I would not put it into my regular rotation of Christmas books, but it was fun.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
December 3, 2019
Adorable! This book is such a fun version of "The Night Before Christmas" my kids and I all read this book together and they loved every minute of it. I loved it as well! The author did a great job taking the classic book and developing it into using sea creatures and making it all rhyme as well. It was brilliant!
**I was provided a copy of this book by the author and publisher in NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**
**I was provided a copy of this book by the author and publisher in NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**
December 3, 2019
I received this from Netgalley for an honest review. What a wonderful retelling of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. It is set in the ocean with sea animals. The book is beautifully illustrated and includes facts about lobsters at the end of the book. I read this to my toddlers and they enjoyed it as well.
November 26, 2019
Nope. Sorry, not a Christmas story for me. Maybe someone on the coast would enjoy it. Illustrations were amusing! But not the rhyme. I'll keep the original.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
December 8, 2019
This nautical take on The Night Before Christmas is cute and beautifully illustrated. Sea Claws rides his sleigh onto the reef pulled by shimmering minnows leaving toys for all the reef's inhabitants.
December 13, 2019
I received a copy of this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. A retelling of the Night Before Christmas told from the point of view of a Lobster. Great for those who love the beach and or nautical books.
January 14, 2020
Does Santa visit the ocean floor on Christmas Eve? Well, yes and no.
This is a retelling of a classic, with a nautical theme. As a Maine girl, I can really appreciate this version of the story. I can see this selling very well in small bookstores in coastal towns.
This is a retelling of a classic, with a nautical theme. As a Maine girl, I can really appreciate this version of the story. I can see this selling very well in small bookstores in coastal towns.
November 30, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a beautifully illustrated children's book comparable to The Night Before Christmas. Wonderful book. I'm sure every child would love it. Enjoy! 📚
December 18, 2019
This fishy take on the Night Before Christmas will have children thinking about the creatures of the ocean. Soft water-colour paintings bring this watery tale to life.
December 30, 2019
A beautifully illustrated book with a clever, underwater take on the traditional ‘The Night Before Christmas’. This is a fun story to read to and for children to join in with as you read. The lovely pictures just add to its appeal. Thank you to Christina Laurie, Elizabeth Moisan, Net Galley and Schiffer publishing for an ARC.
December 29, 2022
Adorable, sweet and very clever! Beautifully illustrated!
January 30, 2023
Loved the premise but found the disconnect in pacing a bit discombobulating
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews