Enchanted Night Before Christmas
Illustrated by Igor Kovyar
Rights Sold
Description
Awards & Endorsements
Author(s)
Michael Caduto
Illustrator(s)
Igor Kovyar
Related Titles
| Publisher | Green Heart Books |
| Publication | Oct 14, 2025 |
| Format | Hardback |
| ISBN | 978-1455628506 |
| Pages | 32 |
| Dimensions | 8.5 x 11 x 0.31 in |
| Age | 7 - 9 |
| Price | $19.99 |
Enchanted Night Before Christmas
AWARD: Winner: 2026 NAPPA Award (National Parenting Product Award)
REVIEWS
"Original, beautifully illustrated, and . . . extraordinarily memorable from start to finish, as well as an unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Christmas themed picture book collection." —Midwest Book Review
“A soulful, flour-dusted holiday treasure. It feels like a story that has been whispered for generations before being written down, which is a rare quality in modern holiday books. Michael J. Caduto’s Enchanted Night Before Christmas succeeds by grounding its 'enchantment' in the...reality of a family that has 'very little,' shifting the focus from the consumption of gifts to the spirit of community… ” ―IBPA Book Award Judge
"Sprinkle some magic around your Christmas festivities with this heartwarming fantasy . . ." ―Story Monsters Ink
"For children and their parents who like Little House on the Prairie. I could easily see this book becoming a classic . . ." ―Maine State Library Book Review
SYNOPSIS
The Sherman family doesn't have very much, but they take good care of one another and are generous to others, making gingerbread cookies as holiday gifts and carefully decorating them to look like friends and neighbors. Then, one Christmas Eve, after the family returns home from delivering their gifts and everyone falls fast asleep, something magical stirs, born in a star of snow, that will change their holiday, and their lives, forever. Inspired by a real rural tradition from the foothills of the Green Mountains, Enchanted Night Before Christmas is a timeless fantasy that reminds us the most powerful gifts are the ones we give away. (Includes a scrumptious gingerbread spice cookie recipe from King Arthur Baking Company.)
Reviews, Awards & Endorsements
Enchanted Night Before Christmas
WINNER 2026 National Parenting Product Award
"Original, beautifully illustrated, and a charming Christmas picture book fantasy, Enchanted Night Before Christmas by author/illustrator Michael J. Caduto is extraordinarily memorable from start to finish, as well as an unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Christmas themed picture book collections for children ages 5-8."
IBPA Award Judges
“A soulful, flour-dusted holiday treasure. It feels like a story that has been whispered for generations before being written down, which is a rare quality in modern holiday books. Michael J. Caduto’s Enchanted Night Before Christmas succeeds by grounding its 'enchantment' in the...reality of a family that has 'very little,' shifting the focus from the consumption of gifts to the spirit of community… ” —IBPA Award Judges (2026)
"Sprinkle some magic around your Christmas festivities with this heartwarming fantasy about the Shermans, a family without very much that makes gingerbread cookies as gifts. What sets their baked traditions apart is that they decorate them to look like friends and neighbors and then bring the cookies to each of them on Christmas Eve... but there's something else that makes their gingerbread cookies special. Snuggle up with your little ones this season and read this story ... one with a message about the power of giving. Warm illustrations and instructions for making gingerbread cookies make this a keeper." ―Story Monsters Ink
(See page 34 of the December 2025 issue, at the following link.)
Review
"I could easily see this book becoming a classic in elementary school, library Christmas book collections, and in family homes. For children (ages 5-8) and their parents who like Little House on the Prairie and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey books." ―Maine State Library Book Review
Illustrator
Igor Kovyar
Igor Kovyar started drawing at the age of five and went on to receive a classical education in painting and drawing at the St. Petersburg School of Arts. Igor now works as a freelance illustrator, drawing and painting for magazines, books, advertising, and private commissions. He has illustrated more than 30 children’s books, including The NeverEnd Friend, The Magic Clock, and Nothing Kingdom. https://www.kovyar.com/