Original Author

Clement Clarke Moore

Professor Clement Clarke Moore, 200 years ago, could not have conceived that his poem would eventually travel the world and be put into “electronic devices” for children to hold, with audio included in multiple languages and animated illustrations.

Moore was American, a writer and Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature, as well as Divinity and Biblical Learning. He taught at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in New York City (in the area now known as Chelsea Square). Moore became a household name in 1837, when he was credited with writing the Christmas poem, originally entitled A Visit from St. Nicholas, now entitled ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Modern Author

Sally Marie Veillette

The “modern author” of this multilingual series is of Italian American descent and was inspired to translate the English poem into Italian when her daughter Chiara was born. Several translations into Italian already existed, but were not “playful enough,” claimed Sally.

Educated as an electrical engineer, Sally retired young and moved from the USA to her ancestral home on the Italian island of Sicily to raise her daughter. Sally is known as a pioneer in “relational tourism,” having hosted groups to cook with Italian grandmothers, to participate in English language camps with the local children, and to play soccer with A.C. Milan’s youth team.

Sally has authored award-winning Coming to Your Senses: Soaring with Your Soul, as well as Sicilian history books for children and tourists.