cover image Santa's Noisy House

Santa's Noisy House

Sebastien Braun. Campbell (IPG/Trafalgar Sq., dist.), $17.99 (12p) ISBN 978-0-230-76411-8

In an oversize board book with a battery-operated panel of noise-making buttons, Braun brings readers into Santa%E2%80%99s North Pole home. There, they follow him through a busy day: %E2%80%9CThe factory elves are hard at work, each has a job to do:/ Wrapping presents, painting cars and pulling levers, too.%E2%80%9D Next to each of the story%E2%80%99s rhymed verses are small b&w icons that correspond to the six sound buttons; pressing them allows readers to add Santa%E2%80%99s morning snores, splats of %E2%80%9Csticky icing goo%E2%80%9D from the kitchen, jingling bells, and other noises into the story. Braun%E2%80%99s spreads are packed with activity and visual details to peruse (also: elves), and his crayon-box palette and friendly renderings enhance the jolly mood. Ages 3%E2%80%935. (Oct.)