There isn't really a lot you can say about the poem as it's such a classic, except that many people will only know the first few lines maybe and therefore might not have enjoyed the (good old-fashioned sentimental) detail found through the rest of the verses.

Of this particular version I will say that it is appropriately and beautifully illustrated, and although an earlier reviewer may have found the pictures too dark to enjoy properly, I felt I had to write and say that we have had no problems. The kids and I read this regularly at bedtime in the run-up to Christmas (low lighting therefore) and can make out all of the details, and the Christmas Eve reading is usually snuggled up by the fire with only a few candles to read by, and again, we can see the pictures clearly enough to point out everybody's favourite details.

Every review is based on personal experience, but from my own I would heartily recommend this version, it's truly beautiful and something that will stay with us for a long time. In addition, at the kind of price you can pick it up for from Amazon, it's well worth a look, even if you decide later that the illustrations aren't good for you either. The one thing you can be sure about is that you'll have the experience of a truly heart-warming Christmas experience.

My main criticism (and reason for only three stars) is regarding the illustrations. Now I am aware that the story is set at night and therefore the pictures should reflect that, but they are so dark that you can barely make out any details. I am reading about St Nicholas descending from the sky drawn by reindeer, but I can hardly make them out in the picture. Whilst some of the pictures are brighter than others, my daughter shows no interest in the majority of them which makes me wish I had gone for one of the more brightly illustrated editions. Even as an adult, there are only a few illustrations that I consider worth viewing, not because they aren't beautiful (because they are) but because you just cannot see them very well.

As an extension of this point, if you want to share this book with your child by lamplight at bedtime (as I have every night so far this December) then forget it. Anything less than full daylight or a main room light then you cannot see a thing in the pictures.

So, definately buy a copy of The Night Before Christmas, but if it is to share with a child to discuss the various aspects of the Father Christmas tradition then go for a differently, more brightly illustrated edition.