Christmas Remembered

DePaola (26 Fairmount Avenue ) waxes nostalgic in slightly new territory here—a series of autobiographical vignettes of Christmases past aimed at an audience beyond children. From his earliest childhood memories of his family's faux fireplace purchased "so Santa could visit," to presents at age 11 that validated his aspirations to be an artist, to holidays as an adult spent with fellow artists and friends in San Francisco and Santa Fe, this volume chronicles its creator's lifelong fondness for celebrating December 25th. DePaola alternates his signature gouache style with mixed-media and collage pieces, giving the work a pleasant "scrapbook" effect. All ages. (Sept.)