K.A. Ramstad shares another great read you and your whole family can enjoy during the holidays. You can find K.A.’s website here.
The Night Before Dog-mas is a tiny-sized book that fits perfectly in your pocket. This story, written by Claudine Gandolfi and illustrated by Karen Anagnost, is friendly for the whole family. Even a preschooler would enjoy this holiday twist on Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem.
The book changes the words of Moore’s poem to fit a rescue dog’s atmosphere. “‘Twas the night before Dog-mas, when all through the pound, not a puppy was yelping, or playing around.” The first illustration has the snow reflecting a pale yellow moonlight that adds warmth to an otherwise bleak season. The pound in the pictures looks more cozy than how I typically picture an animal shelter, but then, it’s supposed to be a festive tale.
The dogs stay true to their canine nature, for instead of sugar plums dancing in their heads, it’s doggie treats. I wonder if dogs dream of dog treats in real life; I wouldn’t be surprised. When the main dog character goes to the window to hear what is the matter, he barks at the shadows cast by a tree. Also, when the moonlight changes “night into day,” the dog thinks “Time to play!”
The author changes other things to fit the dog world. Instead of St. Nick, it’s St. Bernard, an anthropomorphic dog carrying a massive sack. I’m sure the human Santa Claus would have served the same purpose, though having a dog fill this role makes the book stand out. Instead of having reindeer pull his sleigh, eight more dogs of different breeds do the job. Their smiles show their love for it, especially as they get to catch Frisbees after a job well done.
This book also instills awareness that there are dogs at animal shelters who need homes. For the dogs’ ultimate Christmas present, St. Bernard opens the door, which reveals humans—the dogs’ new families—standing outside. Readers must remember that they need the time and resources to adopt a dog themselves, and that’s a topic you can discuss with your family. Even if you can’t adopt a dog, you can discuss other ways to help shelter animals.
If your children delight in unique spins on classic stories, and if they love dogs in general, check out The Night Before Dog-mas.
