Although most grownups know Roddy Doyle better from his Barrytown comic novels (including The Commitments), he's thankfully returned for a children's book follow-up to his ridiculously ridiculous The Giggler Treatment. What's the cast of kids from that nimble-witted book leaving on the mantel for Santa? One of their mother's cans of Guinness. Oh, and 27 cheese sandwiches (minus the crusts).

Doyle's decidedly Irish, self-referential silliness gets a workout on Christmas Eve as Robbie and Jimmy Mack find themselves "very bored and very excited" waiting for Christmas Day. They leave a carrot on the mantel, too, for Rudolph, but soon discover that the red-nosed reindeer's on strike. ("Look, man, next year, maybe," Rudolph tells Santa. "It's a mid-life thing. I need a rest.") So it's soon up to Rover, the smartest dog around, to save the day and lead Santa's sleigh. How smart is Rover? He's got "a brain the size of Africa tucked into a head the size of a baked potato." And like all dogs, Rover "pooed, yes, but then he sold his poo.... The fact is very few dogs are brainy enough to sell their poo."

Few holiday trips could possibly promise to be this fun and funny. In addition to throwaway references to poo and wee, Harry Potter, and "diet water," Doyle often talks straight to the reader ("Chapter Six--The Teenage Years: I don't want to be Chapter Six. I never asked to be Chapter Six.... You don't understand my music"). Captain Underpants fans and like-minded kids (and grownups) will appreciate such respect for their intelligence--and their sense of humor. (Ages 8 and older) --Paul Hughes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The cast of The Giggler Treatment makes a return engagement for the holidays in this invitingly loopy escapade. Rudolph languishes with the flu and Santa appeals to canine Rover and his young owners to take over for the evening. Doyle addresses readers directly on numerous occasions, and if the fun feels a little frenetically self-conscious at times, it's still enormously entertaining. Ajhar's frisky drawings add to the mayhem. Ages 8-12.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Gr 2-5-The cast of characters from The Giggler Treatment (Scholastic, 2000) is back. This time the action shifts from Dublin to the North Pole as Rover is needed to replace Rudolph at the front of Santa's reindeer team. Fans of Dav Pilkey, Jon Scieszka, and Lemony Snicket will appreciate this zany, irreverent story that spoofs literary and bookmaking conventions and includes references to Harry Potter, dog poo, and monkeys' bums. Doyle depicts a somewhat insecure Santa who needs some spunky, problem-solving kids and a crafty dog to get the job done. Don't expect a straightforward, traditional, linear narrative. The wordplay and the gags are the important things here. Even the glossary of Irish expressions is part of the fun.-V. W.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.