PETER CLAUS AND THE NAUGHTY LIST

Lawrence David, , illus. by Delphine Durand. . Doubleday, $15.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-385-32654-4

Santa's son, Peter, devises a plan to spring himself and all the other misbehavers from the dreaded naughty list in this humorous picture book from the creators of Beetle Boy. The text skates close to moralistic in places ("Saying you're sorry is what matters most"), but the delightfully skewed sensibility of the illustrations saves the day. Equal parts cartoon and folk art, Durand infuses the artwork with a puckish wit. Ages 6-up. (Oct.)

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