{"product_id":"cajun-night-before-christmas-r-abbreviated-board-book","title":"Cajun Night Before Christmas(r) (Abbreviated Board Book)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis abbreviated board book edition is the perfect introduction to this classic tale!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake the classic story of jolly old St. Nicholas, place it in a Louisiana bayou setting, dress Santa Claus in muskrat \"from his head to his foot,\" pile his skiff high with toys, and hitch it to eight friendly alligators. The result is this modern classic. Fifty years after its first appearance, Cajun Night Before Christmas(R) has sold more than one million copies and has served as the model for Pelican's ongoing, best-selling Night Before Christmas Series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Cajun Night Before Christmas(R)\u003c\/em\u003e has been a part of Louisiana's holiday traditions since it was first published in 1973. A delight to both young and old with its rustic full-color illustrations and lively story, it has become a timeless addition to holiday celebrations far beyond south Louisiana, reaching all corners of the country with its charming presentation of Christmas on the bayou and the break-out star of Gaston(R) the Green-Nosed Alligator.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConceived by J. B. Kling, Jr., Cajun Night Before Christmas(R) originally appeared as a Christmas message from Bergeron Plymouth Company of New Orleans. Under the pseudonymous byline \"Trosclair,\" the story won a Clio Award in 1967 from the Academy of Television and Radio Advertising.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrought to life by the talented James Rice, the humorous illustrations of a colorful bayou Christmas have been nationally recognized as a classic in its genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Rice is especially good with facial expressions, whether they are on a Texas jackrabbit, a longhorn steer, a dusty cowboy, or the green and long-nosed alligator named Gaston.\" --Library Journal \"Rice is a master at making a story come alive with colorful detailed drawings.\" --\u003cem\u003eBeaumont, TX\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSouthEast Texas Examiner \u003cstrong\u003eJames Rice \u003c\/strong\u003e(1934-2004) was a fledgling illustrator when he collaborated with late Pelican publisher Dr. Milburn Calhoun to create his first book, the well-loved classic \u003cem\u003eCajun Night Before Christmas(R)\u003c\/em\u003e. In his long, distinguished career as an author and illustrator, he would go on to produce more than sixty books for children. With more than 2.5 million books in print, he ranks among the nation's best-selling creators of children's books. In addition to the praise he received from the many schoolchildren he visited and all those young at heart, Mr. Rice won several awards throughout the years from Printer Industries of America and the Children's Book Council. Mr. Rice died at his home in Hico, Texas, in May 2004. Award Winning Works by James Rice: \u003cem\u003eGaston Goes to Texas\u003c\/em\u003e Certificate of Award, Printer Industries of America 1979 \u003cem\u003eThe Night Before Christmas\u003c\/em\u003e Certificate of Merit, Printer Industries of America 1990 \u003cem\u003eWhy Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On\u003c\/em\u003e Certificate of Merit, Printer Industries of America 1996 \u003cem\u003eCajun Night Before Christmas(R)\u003c\/em\u003e Not Just for Children Anymore Classics, CBC 2002 \u003cem\u003eThe Teachers' Night Before Christmas\u003c\/em\u003e Children's Choices, CBC\/IRA 2002 \u003cem\u003eWhy Cowboys Need a Pardner\u003c\/em\u003e Children's Books Mean Business, CBC 2002\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Pelican Publishing Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50894689566994,"sku":"9781455628179","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_2ae05cfe-07e2-4116-8568-d28d4369f2df.jpg?v=1738258817","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/cajun-night-before-christmas-r-abbreviated-board-book","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}