THE SECRET OF THE NORTH POLE

When Peter the polar bear finds a red Santa hat in the snow that "smelled like candy canes and tasted like gumdrops," he decides to return it to the North Pole and see Santa for himself. What he finds (not one, but many Santa "helpers") may confuse those youngest readers who still believe in the jolly old elf, but they may enjoy Lobato's impressionistic paintings. Cloaked in cool blues and greens and lavenders, they conjure the frozen north through streaked and dappled brushstrokes. The polar cub has the appeal of a favorite toy bear. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)