Mr. Santa

On Christmas Eve, an inquisitive black-haired child pounces on the opportunity to pepper Santa with questions when the jolly man himself—who looks suspiciously similar to the figure inside a nearby snow globe—appears in the youth’s bedroom. With boundless energy and curiosity, the child shows Santa around the house and accompanies him on his global sleigh ride. And along the way, the queries keep coming on everything from pets (“Would you like to meet my fishes?”) to preferences (“Dogs or cats, Mr. Santa? You have to choose”) and travel logistics (“Do you stop at traffic lights?”). The series of beguiling scenarios plays out in digital artwork that features black outlines and gauzy textures frequently backlit by snow-flurry-filtered moonglow and streetlights. Human characters are depicted with pink skin. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)