A handsomely designed and illustrated edition of the classic Christmas poem features richly detailed illustrations by Gennady Spirin. Each two-page spread features a full-page painting depicting a scene from the poem on one side, and corresponding text with spot illustrations on the other. An elegant clock, decorated with a quaint, wintry village scene, marks the time on every page spread: it’s the moment of midnight, when December 24 becomes December 25. The hands on the clock never move, suggesting that St. Nicholas’s visit transcends the boundaries of time. This is one of many lovely elements for children to notice in this warm, pleasing volume. (All ages)