cover image But What If There’s No Chimney?

But What If There’s No Chimney?

Emily Weisner Thompson and Mandy Hussey, illus. by Kate Lampe. Indiana Univ., $12 (24p) ISBN 978-0-253-02392-6

Lampe’s crisp digital graphics are the highlight of this uneven story about a common Christmas worry. After Ben and his father move into a chimney-free house, Ben fears that Santa won’t be able to deliver gifts; Ben’s father’s attempt to ease his fears (“It’s magic, my son. No need to be sad”) doesn’t help. After writing a letter to the “big guy” himself, Santa’s response provides the reassurance Ben needs. Unfortunately, the hit-or-miss rhythms and rhymes of Thompson and Hussey’s verse make for herky-jerky reading throughout (“Ben sat on his bed with his thoughts and a crayon,/ ‘Dear Santa.’ He started, ‘I’m your biggest fan’ ”). Readers may also be less than enthusiastic about the story’s abrupt conclusion, before Santa even arrives, and although the authors introduce a seek-and-find challenge involving an elf named Checkermint, the tiny elf’s obvious placement on most pages isn’t much of a diversion. Ages 3–8. (Oct.)