A Wish for Elves

In this irreverent graphic novel–style picture book, a boy wishes that, like Santa, he had elves to subjugate, er, help him with his chores. He gets his wish, but discovers that elves can be troublesome. In festive reds and greens, Gonyea's high-contrast panels reduce the characters to their most elemental (Santa consists of a few circles, and the elves are wedges with feet and faces). The boy's Wimpy Kid–like mix of laziness and mischief make this a Christmas story for those at risk of getting coal in their stockings. Ages 2–5. (Oct.)