A classic Christmas Eve tale is brought to life and narrated by Academy Award-winning actor, Kevin Kline, in this computer animated version of Mary Engelbreit's The Night Before Christmas. The movie begins just as the original poem, "'twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring - not even a mouse." But the tale takes a new twist when a curious little mouse named Gregory interrupts the narrator to point out that he is not only a mouse, but he is most definitely stirring.  Viewers follow Gregory on an adventure to save Christmas from the mischievous fairy, Implestik, who schemes to stop Santa from delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. The movie is sure to captivate your little one's attention through the animation's fine details and vivid colors, fun character voices, and frequent songs!

Gregory learns a number of important lessons while on his adventure, which you can discuss with your little one after the movie. For instance, Gregory learns the importance of listening to his elders when it is the oldest mouse in the house and an older owl that provides Gregory with the answer of where to find the Fairy Queen in order to stop Implestik's spell. Gregory confronts his fears by heading into the Enchanted Forest alone in the dark, only to realize he is braver than he thought. The spunky fairy Elliester encourages Gregory to never stop trying to reach his goals; She sings to him, "Tonight's the night to make a difference. It's up to you friend. Now, decide! Don't ever, ever, ever, ever give up!" Even the naughty Impelstik learns a lesson from the Fairy Queen about needing to think about others, rather than being selfish.  Once Implestik apologizes, the Queen Fairy blesses him with the spirit of Christmas.

My three-year-old friend, Sam's favorite Christmas book was a Mary Engelbreit book, so I was excited to give him this movie last holiday season. I brought it over with me one afternoon and said Santa had stopped by my place to drop of an early gift for Sam, since he had been so good that year. Sam was so excited! He wanted to watch it immediately, so his mom and I obliged and popped it in the DVD player. I'm sure we both watched Sam more than the movie; his face lit up at ever scene change, and his head gently lolled side-to-side during the songs. He particularly liked the fairy Elliester, and whenever she came on screen Sam would point, gasp, and look to his mom and I to assure we saw Ellister also.

 

--Audra

This DVD is based on the story from Mary Engelbreit. It is only about 26 minutes long which is fantastic for the little ones. This is a bit of a different twist of The Night Before Christmas in the eyes of the little mouse Gregory. He overhears a naughty fairy that wants to stop Christmas, and goes to help right away. The movie goes though his journey of meeting new friends along his way to save Christmas! My son loved this movie. His eyes were glued to the TV for the whole movie. I thought it was pretty cute little movie!

 

--Anne, Jasper, IN