An Aussie Night Before Christmas

adapted by Yvonne Morrison (text)

Kilmeny Niland (illus)

Scholastic Press, Australia: 2009

ISBN: 9781741695236

Genres: humour, picture book, poetry

‘T'was the night before Christmas: there wasn't a sound. Not a possum was stirring: no-one was around.'

This delightful adaptation of the much loved Clement Moore poem will become a favourite Christmas read for Australian children. Living as we do in a country where the annual festival is in the middle of summer, Morrison's ‘plump bloke' with ‘bright sunburned cheeks... And a hat of deep crimson as shade from the heat' and ‘eyes bright as opals' is much more believable. A ute pulled by roos (Kylie and Kirsty and Shazza and Shane, to name a few) is his delivery vehicle.

Niland's watercolour illustrations are charming, capturing the uniquely Australian Christmas colours - clear, star studded night skies and eucalypts drooping. The pages almost radiate the heat that is part of this season for us. Santa is a character, a ‘jolly old joker' in a poinsettia print shirt, red shorts and thongs, and a sprig of wattle in his hat.

As with the few Australian carols that have been written, Morrison and Niland's work recognises and celebrates the vastly different - but equally joyful and happy holiday that is the Australian experience of Christmas.

As a novelty feature, the book includes board games - di not included.