Here Comes Santa Cat

Underwood and Rueda follow Here Comes the Easter Cat with an equally excellent outing that sees Cat attempting to assume the role of another holiday icon. Cat is concerned that he’s been too naughty during the past year (and he has a pie chart to prove it), so he dresses up as Santa—what better way to ensure he gets a gift? As in the previous book, the back-and-forth between Cat and an unseen narrator propels the story’s humor. “Instead of trying to be Santa, why don’t you just try to be nice?” suggests the narrator before coaching Cat through a few less-than-successful attempts at caroling and tree decorating (“Wow,” says the narrator, opposite an image of Cat thoroughly wrapped up in a string of lights). An ideal holiday pick for the naughty and nice alike. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Oct.)