Cocoa’s Cranky Christmas: Can You Cheer Him Up?

In this interactive board book, readers are asked to help cheer a grumpy pup named Cocoa, who is “missing his Christmas joy.” He’s a wide-eyed hound with dark brown ears, a brown mask, and an underbite, clothed for the occasion in a green sweater and reindeer antlers, and he looks none too delighted by the holiday season. Readers are invited to take various actions, including “making a silly face,” taking Cocoa for a walk, clapping loudly, and even singing “Jingle Bells.” But until the revelation of a certain gift, not one manages to help. The cartoony digital illustrations are set against a merry scarlet background, and close-ups of Cocoa’s expressive face amplify the humor. Though the methods of engagement are inadvisable for real-life interactions with grumps of any sort—and may even fly in the face of holiday spirit—the comical narrative is likely to draw laughs. Ages 2–6. [em](Oct.) [/em]