Holy cow, is there a lot going on in this book. ( )

This review originally published at The Children's Book and Media Review

This books takes the traditional night before Christmas poem and adds a spooky element to it. Miss Devel is feeling harassed by her monsters’ bad manners. When the monsters finally go to bed, Miss Devel is woken up by a huge crash and a visit from Frankenstein who has brought a tree for Saint Nick. Saint Nick has brought some special present for the monsters, but when he falls through the ceiling the little monsters attack the presents. Everyone is happy until they realize that poor Frankenstein didn’t receive any presents. Saint Nick’s solution is one that will make everyone, including Miss Devel, very happy.

For children who like spooky things after Halloween has passed, this Christmas book with a twist will delight them. The text mostly uses the same pattern and style as the original poem, although sometimes the new text throws off the pattern at times and the story is different enough that sometimes the reader might forget that it’s not a thing of its own. The illustrations of the little versions of mummies, Frankenstein, and Dracula will please fans of spooky things, but the times when the poem meter doesn’t match up to the original or places where it might be a little too spooky for some children might make it difficult for large groups. ( )