Meerkat Christmas

In Africa’s Kalahari Desert, a meerkat clan is excitedly preparing for Christmas, except for Sunny, who dons a Santa cap, packs a sack, and “sets off to find somewhere more Christmassy”—as showcased in a magazine he consults. Traveling the world, magazine in hand, he deems each spot less than ideal. On Christmas Eve, while visiting a mouse clan in their cozy, grandly decorated digs, as a sumptuous feast is served and snow falls outside, Sunny decides that the scenario is almost perfect—but not quite. That night, after Santa discovers a postcard Sunny wrote to his family, he realizes what the meerkat is lacking, and he delivers Sunny (festively gift-wrapped) back to the desert, where his family happily welcomes him home. Gravett’s watercolor and pencil illustrations embellish the story, as do the tidbits readers can find under various flaps throughout. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)