CHRISTMAS WITH RITA AND WHATSIT

Rambunctious Rita in her red dress returns for a third round with her canine companion, Whatsit (Rita and Whatsit, 2008). The simple story, first published in France, has an understated, droll narrative tone, as though a bemused adult is recounting, in the present tense, the antics of the comical duo. Together, Rita and Whatsit engage in traditional Christmas Eve preparations, but each one has a witty twist, such as the dog’s own scrawny tree bedecked with meaty decorations. Tallec’s minimalist line drawings stand out on stark white pages with splashes of Christmas red in Rita’s clothes and the spot surrounding one of the dog’s eyes. Both children and adults will enjoy the funny touches within the illustrations and the comical expressions on Whatsit’s face. The amusing story is simple enough for the youngest listeners, and older kids will enjoy the sly touches, as will grown-ups. (Picture book. 3-6)