Relatable and entertaining, this tongue-in-cheek picture book turns a child's inevitable disbelief of Santa Claus on its head. Up in the North Pole, just before Christmas, Santa should be preparing, but instead he's stewing over a boy named Harold. "I don't believe in Harold anymore," he tells a nonplussed Mrs. Claus. "I'm pretty sure his mom writes his Santa letter." Kids getting older are sure to recognize some of Santa's arguments ("Only a baby would believe in Harold"). Farther south, Harold is having some problems of his own, and as Christmas comes, he and Santa set out on mutual quests to prove that the other doesn't exist. The metaphor doesn't always hold up perfectly, but readers young and old will be delighted by the wonderfully detailed digital illustrations eck out Mrs. Claus' reindeer slippers and Santa's narwhal mug! Harold's multiracial family, Mrs. Claus' sage advice, and the ultimate happy ending make this a fine inclusion in the Christmas canon for kids who aren't yet ready to doubt.

In a very funny story that flips the script on children-s doubts about the existence of Santa Claus, a grumpy Santa reveals that he has stopped believing in a boy named Harold. Fergus-s (the Buddy and Earl series) inversions of charges often leveled against Santa are deliciously fun. -That Harold who sat on my knee at the mall last year didn-t even look like the real Harold,- Santa tells Mrs. Claus. Atkinson (Explorers of the Wild) gleefully channels Santa-s surliness (his scowls and frowns suggest a child in the throes of a very bad mood), and he gives Harold (who is white) interracial parents, which could give the story added resonance for adopted children. Harold is just as skeptical about Santa, but Christmas morning lets them put their doubts to rest. Fergus and Atkinson commit fully to their premise, working in comic synch to deliver laughs on every page. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 2 Santa seems mopey lately. When pressed by Mrs. Claus, he tells her that he no longer believes in Harold (though he still likes the idea of Harold). He hasn't stopped believing in all childrenjust Harold. Meanwhile, Harold is having his own doubts about the jolly old elf. He conceals himself behind an armchair on Christmas Eve, hopeful that Santa will prove himself. When Santa arrives, he hides behind the sofa to await Harold's morning dash to the gifts (though he forgets to put them under the tree first). In the morning, Harold's interracial parents spy him, asleep in his hiding spot. When they coax him out with some gentle teasing, Santa suddenly appears, shouting, "YOU'RE REAL!" and eliciting a hilarious coffee spit take from Dad. Harold is just as excited to see that Santa is real, and runs to hug him. They hang out together, reading comics and playing games, until the reindeer stomp on the roof to remind Santa they are waiting for him. Throughout, readers will enjoy keeping track of Santa's cat and Harold's turtle, who are charmingly foreshadowed playing Scrabble on the opening endpapers. VERDICT A fun story and a great antidote to holiday skepticism. Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library