Just shy of seven years ago I met with master illustrator, Charles Santore with a proposal for a new book project. Over lunch we discussed publishing a fresh and beautiful, new edition of The Night Before Christmas. The goal was to create an image of Santa Claus like no one else before. Charlie researched and worked on the illustrations for nearly two years and in the fall of 2011 we published our classic edition using five color printing, included a four panel gatefold and embellished the dust jacket with two different colored foil stampings, embossing, matt lamination and spot uv treatments.
Charlie's cover illustration of Santa Clause is illuminating and iconic: In fact, it is my belief that he has painted the most beautiful rendition of Santa Claus - ever. I say this with great care as Christmas has and always will be a very important holiday for me. As a child, it was the one holiday where only love and joy filled our home.
This Christmas season, we hope our edition has helped to create similar memories for children and their families everywhere. And we hope that it will continue to do so for generations to come.