HARRIET AND GEORGE’S CHRISTMAS TREAT

Fruitcake, that proto-matter, one of the only unnatural substances known to have survived The Flood, seems to exist mainly for a good joke. And two of Carlson’s (How About a Hug?, p. 1022, etc.) favorite characters have their own run-in with it here. It’s Christmas time and Harriet and George spy Ms. Hoozit coming out of the grocery store. Naturally, they quake in their boots: “Ms. Hoozit is making fruitcake!” With dismal memories of befouled taste buds and shattered teeth dancing in their heads (though also with happy memories of using the cake to crack nuts), the two do their best to hide from Ms. Hoozit and her force-fed fruitcake. They are successful, though Harriet’s brother gets nabbed. When Harriet and George go to commiserate, they learn that Ms. Hoozit hasn’t made fruitcake this year, but rather some delicious fudge. Making themselves conspicuous, George and Harriet get invited in for a Christmas treat. They rub their greedy paws, then learn that all the fudge is gone. Fear not; Ms. Hoozit has something for them—remnants of last year’s fruitcake. What goes around, comes around—and fruitcake? It’s the gift that keeps on giving. A simply marvelous story that has to be accompanied with a slice of well-aged fruitcake. Carlson’s wonderfully gawky, innocent artwork adds immeasurably to the tale. (Picture book. 3-6)