Christmas has come to the mountain country of Appalachia in a delightful new version of the classic holiday verse by Clement Moore. James Rice, illustrator of the bestselling Cajun Night Before Christmas, has teamed up with Thomas Noel Turner, a long-time resident of the Appalachian region and professor of education at the University of Tennessee, to add winsome dimension to the enchanting tale. A jolly, twinkly-eyed mountain man named Sainty appears dressed from head-to-toe in handmade quilted clothing driving a gift-laden buckboard pulled swiftly through the night by plump, friendly black bears, ushering in a true hillbilly Christmas. With grandpappy whiskers and a "how d'ye do" grin, Santy gently prods his team onward: "On Bigfeet! On Orn'ry Molassas an' Rumbler! Up Yowler! Up Growler! On Gumption and Grumbler!" This fanciful retelling of the lighthearted Christmas favorite is sure to delight not only those in the region, but also anyone who enjoys a chuckle

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