(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marty Kelley. Santa can't find his special red Christmas long underwear! The watercolor and pencil illustrations show the elves making mischief as Santa gets ready: eating, bathing, and finally trying on possible alternatives, including Valentine's Day boxers and Easter briefs. Undies are always funny, but this offering lacks the over-the-top hilarity of some similar undergarment offerings.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Marty Kelley. Sixth grader Daniel Kendal feels like an outsider at home and school. When his nasty older sister convinces him he's really an abandoned alien, he enlists his two misfit friends to help him get home. A few two-dimensional characters and an abundance of flatulence scenes won't lessen the appeal. The zany, unexpected ending ties things up quickly and neatly.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan