cover image SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN

SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN

J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie, , illus. by Steven Kellogg. . HarperCollins, $15.99 (40pp) ISBN 978-0-688-14938-3

With the jaunty lyrics as a springboard ("You better watch out…"), Kellogg (The Island of Skrog ) jumps right into the spirit, creating a dizzyingly busy holiday scene on the end pages here. Dolls, elves and even elephants, prance, march and play through several pages of flashy red-and-green Toyland activity, framed by decorative borders. The effect is akin to looking through a Christmas kaleidoscope. Other spreads feature children and Santa (and some of the artist's familiar-looking figures) more literally interpreting the song. All in all, a lively romp with sure festive appeal for Kellogg fans. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)