The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel

This story of unlikely friendship by Corderoy (the Hubble Bubble series) opens as Bear settles into his fireside armchair, anticipating a “nice, simple Christmas.” That’s not to be: Frog appears with a stack of suitcases, thinking he’s arrived at a hotel advertising lavish holiday attractions. When Bear informs him that his map is upside down, and the resort he’s seeking is located elsewhere, his visitor is so disappointed that Bear invites him to stay. “Poor little fellow... Let’s see what we can do,” the accommodating host whispers, perusing the hotel’s brochure after his guest falls asleep. Delivering plentiful holiday cheer, vivid cartoons by Neal (Seek and Peek Jungle) reveal how Bear tops the hotel’s overblown offerings: showing Frog a towering pine filled with chirping birds (subbing for a big singing tree) and the Northern Lights (eclipsing the promise of “strings and strings of lights, flashing away”). Exuberant Frog and thoughtful Bear make an endearing odd couple. Ages 3–6. [em](Sept.) [/em]