Santa's Countdown to Christmas

FROM PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY In a kind of narrative Advent calendar, Thompson presents 24 linked vignettes set at the North Pole during the days leading up to Christmas. Despite the subtitle, these are less freestanding stories than chapterlike descriptions of the preparations that Santa and his crew undertake. While fixing the sleigh on December 2, an elf named Tek suggests outfitting it with GPS. Starting on the 6th, Santa attempts to get into shape ("Your cardio needs work," says Spark, Santa's trainer elf. "What have you been doing all year?"). And a robotic gift-wrapping chicken tries to wrap Santa himself on the 21st. "Tumblin' teddy bears!" protests Santa in one of many folksy expressions he drops throughout the book. Santa's funny banter with the elves should keep readers looking forward to each successive installment, as will Duhameau's cheeky cartoon scenes of Santa perfecting his yoga poses and soaking in a hot tub. Ages 3-up.