This modern edition of "Twas the night before Christmas," features four different homes and families, each on Christmas Eve, that reflect the diverse world we live in, lush landscapes and charming scenes capture the wonder and magic of Christmas. What do these four homes share? The excitement and anticipation of the most splendid night of the year. In this tale, the illustrator reminds us that no matter where we live, all children share the same wish...

A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck--all parade across the pages of this delightful book. Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages. Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals.

Peter disobeys his mother by going into Mr. McGregor's garden and almost gets caught.

Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls.

A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.

By the time the Velveteen Rabbit is dirty, worn out, and about to be burned, he has almost given up hope of ever finding the magic called Real.

At bedtime, a little llama worries after his mother puts him to bed and goes downstairs.

The Once-ler describes the results of the local pollution problem.

A naughty seed with a bad attitude, bad temper, and bad manners vows to change his life for the better, but his efforts are met with skepticism by his friends.

Eleven-year-old Princess Celie lives with her parents, the king and queen, and her brothers and sister at Castle Glower, which adds rooms or stairways or secret passageways most every Tuesday, and when the king and queen are ambushed while travelling, it is up to Celie--the castle's favorite--with her secret knowledge of its never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom.