Every year I try to prolong the Christmas season as long as possible: I keep the Christmas tree up, continue to read Christmas books, and listen to Christmas music weeks for a couple of weeks into January.  So in that spirit, here is one last Christmas-themed picture book before I leave the subject alone for another year -- or another 11 months, at least.

Rocky Mountain Night Before Christmas is one of my all-time favorite Christmas picture books.  I discovered this book a few years ago and bought it one for my nephews, one for myself.  It's a classic because not only is the story a well-written takeoff on the original Night Before Christmas, the illustrations are also absolutely breathtaking paintings of Western-themed winter scenes.

The book follows the rough story line of the original -- except there are no wife or kids.  The lone cowboy returns home to his winter cabin to find an intruder trying to get in, and lassos him -- only to find out that he's Santa!  The two of them shoot the -- well, you know -- together for a little while, and then Santa leaves in his cow-powered sleigh, and the cowboy finds his visitor has left him a present: a new hat and alligator boots.  All of this is written in rhyming verse just like the original, except with a great deal more humor and fun... Western style!

It's a great book, one I would highly recommend.  With its twist on the classic story and its gorgeous illustrations, it'll be one you'll be proud to have on your child's bookshelf!