North Pole Village

This cheery novelty set of three books delivers a cozy rendering of the North Pole into young readers’ small hands—a trifold case opens to create a diorama-style snowy village in which the shaped board books, each tucked into a pocket, comprise a village’s buildings. By removing each book, readers can peek inside titles Mr. Klaus’s House, Polar Bear’s Nook, and Toymakers’ Workshop to find a brief holiday story in each. In one, pale-skinned Mr. Klaus, sporting an enormous gray beard and red stocking cap, enjoys a hearty breakfast of pancakes, a grilled cheese, and an omelet with peas. Polar Bear, meanwhile, engages in various adventures and drinks hot chocolate, and mouse toymakers work steadily to prepare Mr. Klaus’s sleigh. Makhsimova and Mirtalipova serve up whimsy via aptly pleasant scenes. Ages 2–4. (Sept.)