The Nightmare before Christmas picture book by Tim Burton

Posted on October 23, 2016

I count myself as a bit of a Tim Burton fan but I never realised he wrote The Nightmare before Christmas! A new version has just been published, not only written by, but also illustrated, by the talented Tim Burton. We were kindly sent a copy to review.

This is the book that came BEFORE the film. This is the book that fans of all ages will be coveting. This is the book that contains exclusive, never seen before original sketches. This is the book filled with skill, craft, cunning and misery. This is the book of the Pumpkin King. This is the book that’ll scare you right out of your pants…. For THIS is the beautifully designed, commemorative edition celebrating 20 years of the Nightmare Before Christmas, from incomparable visionary Tim Burton!

Jack Skellington is the most important figure in Halloweenland; for years he has delighted in organising frightful tricks and appalling treats. But THIS year, something is wrong. The creepers are no longer creepy and the fear is no longer ferocious.

Jack accidentally finds himself in Christmas Town, and wonders if there isn’t more to life than simply scaring people… like why not scare people WITH BELLS ON?!

My 6 year old and I read this at bedtime and he loved the story and illustrations. I wondered if he might not quite understand the it but he found it really funny. There’s so much to see in the illustrations that I know we will be able to read it again and again and see something new each time. This is a great book for reading around Halloween but I think I will be slipping it into our Book Advent box to read again in December!

The book contains the original story which inspired the screenplay, and which has previously only been avilable in selected American retailers. Released to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Jack Skellington and his motley crew, this stunning hardback edition contains new and exclusive illustrations that have never been in print elsewhere – ever!

The Nightmare before Christmas picture book by Tim Burton was published on 6th October 2016 by
Picture Puffin, priced £12.99.