cover image Santa Duck and His Merry Helpers

Santa Duck and His Merry Helpers

David Milgrim, Putnam, $12.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-399-25473-4

In his second outing as Santa's helper, Nicholas Duck prepares to collect Christmas lists, but his needling younger brothers and sister want in on the action. When various animals make their Christmas requests, his siblings try to one-up each other. "I'll get you a beautiful princess," quacks his sister to a frog; "I'll get you your own planet!" boasts a brother. Finally, Nicholas reminds them that Christmas is about "love and goodwill," but quickly has to eat his words. With humor aplenty and a knack for sibling dynamics, Milgrim offers a holiday story with panache. Ages 5–8. (Oct.)