Jim Harris Talks About Illustrating...

Librarian's Night Before Christmas

I know a lot about librarians.

And the reason I know so much about librarians is that I hold the world’s record for big library fines. And I mean really big ones.

You know it’s bad when you get ready to check out your books and the librarian notices how large your fine is on the computer screen and blurts out (before he can stop himself), “This is RIDICULOUS!” (Yes, that really happened.)

I’m not sure what the librarian in Librarian’s Night Before Christmas would think about my library habits. She seems awfully dedicated to her job… working overtime on Christmas Eve… and she might not appreciate someone who doesn’t return their books on time.

On the other hand, when Santa lands his red bookmobile on her library doorstep with a load of new books … he also takes time to hang some author portraits, lay some brand new carpet, serve a Christmas feast, and last but not least… pay off all the overdue fees! So maybe that will help get me back in her good graces.

Here’s my favorite illustration from Librarian’s Night Before Christmas. Santa’s elves are redecorating the library… as only elves can.