The Knights Before Christmas

Fun version of The Night Before Christmas. I really enjoy reading it to my 3 year old because of the voices you can use as you read.

Adorable illustrations and a fun Christmas story told in rhyme. I read this to a preschool class and they enjoyed it.

This turned out to be the boys' favorite Christmas book this year. One is 8 and the other is 4. We read it over and over and over and they enjoyed every page. Definitely worth getting!

I liked the pictures in this book but that was all. The story is flimsy and I regret buying this book. My six year old didn't find it interesting at all either. This book had potential to be so cute but missed the m mark.

awesome!! quick too!! thanks

SUMMARY: This is a knights parody of the original Christmas poem. "Twas December 24th, and three brave knights were just settling in for the night when out on the drawbridge, there arose such a clatter! The knights try everything to get rid of this unknown invader (Santa Claus!), a red and white knight with a fleet of dragons (reindeer) . . .But nothing would stoptheir white-whiskered foe.No matter their efforts,he just would not go!"ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations were created digitally. The pages are at times a bit busy, but the style of illustration lends itself well to the theme of parody.THE GOOD: I am not often a fan of tongue in cheek or slapstick comedy which this book is full of. But even I had to admit that the inept knights were hilarious and silly. I loved the part where Santa and the knights are catapulting things at each other in determination--Santa trying to give and the knights trying not to receive. Kids will LOVE this. There are also clever bits of humor throughout the book, but you may have to read the book several times so as not to miss any.THE NOT AS GOOD: Because much of the humor was in dialogue bubbles or written on parchment, etc., I found myself having to stop reading the main poem to read the other bits. This interrupted the flow of the story.AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for ages 5-8, but I think ages 6-9 would enjoy the sarcastic humor the most.

It was the night before Christmas and all was quiet as three knights stood watch over the king's realm. Two up in the towers and one in front of the drawbridge as they guarded the castle under the dark starry night. Nothing could possibly get by Brave Knight or Polite Knight, but just maybe they could get by Silent Knight who was getting ready for his "long winter's nap." But wait, what was that noise?Everyone soon sprang into action, including that sleepyhead, Silent. Up the tower stairs they ran, swords drawn and at the ready. "The out on the drawbridge / there arose such a clatter, / those knights sprang to the tower / to see what was the matter." There was a red sleigh in the distance with footprints in the snow. Someone was heading to the castle, but who could it be?"Moldy minstrals!" shouted Polite. It was none other than Santa Claus and his reindeer ... make that dragons ... looking for a chimney. "Castles lack chimneys!" / Polite Knight told the lout. / "So dash away, dash away! / Invader, get out!" No way was Santa going to leave and 'round and 'round the castle he went looking for a way in. The three dutiful knights began to pore over Chapter 17 in their "So You Want to Repel Invaders" book. Were they going to be able to get rid of that pesky Santa without having to do battle?This is a fa la la la funny tale of a trio of knights who try to fend off Santa and his dragons. Of course all young readers will know what Santa is up to and will be cheering him on. Joan Holub's inimitable rhyming scheme doesn't miss a beat (as usual) as she taps out her knightish parody of Santa's visit a la Clement Clarke Moore style. The artwork meshes well and adds to the hilarity of the tale. The "Knights of the Iron Underwear" vs. Santa and his eight prancing dancing dragons is not to be missed!This book courtesy of the publisher.