The Princess and the Christmas Rescue

“On top of the world where the ice wind blows” is a palace that’s home to Princess Eliza, who spends most of her time tinkering: “With wood, lots of string, and some pieces of wire,/ the princess could make anything you’d desire.” Long on ingenuity but short on friends, Eliza follows a plume of smoke through the woods to Santa’s workshop, where it’s crunch time for the frantic elves (Santa’s under the weather). Eliza helps out by building contraptions that speed-read Santa’s letters, sort toys, and wrap presents, impressing the elves and the big guy himself. Warburton includes plenty of fun, offhand details in her scruffy cartoons (a guitar rests beside the fireplace in Santa’s cozy den, and he sports a purple sweater under his red coat). Hart delivers a welcome twist on a “saving Christmas” story that slyly references familiar fairy tales while placing a tech-savvy princess at its center. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)