(2) K-3 Illustrated by Margarita Kukhtina. Santa, who’s almost-but-not-quite done with his rounds, makes a Goldilocks-esque stop at the Three Bears’ house...and promptly conks out (“Who’s that sleeping in MY chair?”). When he can’t be roused, Baby Bear -- assisted by the Fairy-Tale Rescue Rangers team of Little Red Riding Hood, the Seven Dwarfs, the Three Little Pigs, and the Gingerbread Man -- takes the lead. Peacock’s text includes lots of funny fairy-tale flourishes (“‘Quick, Gingerbread Man,’ cried Baby Bear. ‘Run, run, as fast as you can, and deliver all the presents!’”) enhanced by Kukhtina’s spry, cartoony, digital-looking ­illustrations. On Christmas morning, Santa wakes up in a mild panic, but everything’s under control -- and Baby Bear gets her own apt reward.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023