Gaspard and Lisa's Christmas Surprise

Anne Gutman. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $9.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-375-82229-2

The irresistible canine heroes of the paper-over-board Misadventures of Gaspard and Lisa series set out to make a gift for their teacher in Gaspard and Lisa's Christmas Surprise by Anne Gutman, illus. by Georg Hallensleben. As the two attempt to fashion a raincoat from a red shower curtain and Krazy Glue, it's hard to say which is funnier, the sight of the dogs in Hallensleben's zippy acrylics or Gutman's deadpan text.

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