THE CHRISTMAS BEAR

Alice-like, the polar bear cub slips into a hole in the snow—and falls down, down into Santa's book-lined, toy-bedecked office. The kindly gentleman remarks, ``You must be answering my ad,'' and shows him around: mailroom (Cub's not eligible for a job here—he knows only one language), workshop (``every kind of toy in the world,'' but it's a benign lot compared to most stores), ``the North Pole itself'' (a fantastic electric generator), testing room, wrapping room, etc. Tour complete, Santa admits that he always knew Cub's parents would want him back and takes him home with a special present—this book. It's familiar territory, but elaborated with unusual good humor and imagination; kids are sure to enjoy the multitudinous, brightly colored details on the large, square pages bordered with shiny stars. An inviting book that satisfies to the end, when Cub curls up cozily with his parents and his new treasure. (Picture book. 4-8)