AUNTIE CLAUS AND THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS

Santa's big sister is back! This time, Auntie Claus's grand-nephew Christopher Kringle is front and center, wreaking havoc at the Bing Cherry Hotel when he repeats the rumor that Santa doesn't exist. Summoned to his great-aunt's penthouse suite, Chris learns of the "B-B-and-G List" (bad boys and girls), and arranges to get himself onto it in order to get to the bottom of the family secret. While the plot is overwrought in places, it's great fun nonetheless, with Auntie Claus's larger-than-life presence presiding over Primavera's vibrant, richly saturated gouaches and pastels. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)