The "little girl with a big personality," and the "dog without a name" are back in this holiday story with an edge! As Rita and Whatsit prepare for Christmas - writing last-minute letters to Santa Claus, decorating the tree, and giving an extraordinary concert to a captive audience of two (Rita's parents, we assume, although only their legs are shown) - it quickly becomes apparent that these two friends have settled into a hilariously chaotic routine, in which Rita continually attempts to assert control, and Whatsit blithely does his own thing.

Originally published in France as Le Noël de Rita et Machin, this is the third story featuring Rita and Whatsit that I have read, following upon Rita and Whatsit and Rita and Whatsit At the Beach. Humorous, rather than endearing, these two have a boisterous, fun relationship that keeps the reader entertained. Olivier Tallec's simple, cartoon-like illustrations - so different from his painterly work for Nadine Brun-Cosme's Big Wolf and Little Wolf - emphasize the humor of the narrative. Fans of this series will definitely want to take a look at this one! ( )