CHRISTMAS IN JULY

With their own inimitable sparkle, an irrepressible duo tackles a hoary subject: Santa delayed. The problem is his pants; the cleaner has mistakenly sent them to N.Y.C. plutocrat Rich Rump, and the arrogant Rump won't even listen to Santa's urgent tale of woe. Neither will anyone else; unrecognized, he's arrested for loitering and sentenced to six months—during which Christmas doesn't happen and the economy languishes. By the time Santa emerges, Rump is trying to peddle the pants on a street corner and has mellowed enough to present them to Santa as a gift (``They're so you''). And Christmas finally comes! Caldecott-winner Egielski's illustrations have as much sly humor as the text—even signs and lampposts contribute to the lively, comical action, while a mural above the female judge, who is irate at Santa's pantless state (he wears polka-dotted boxer shorts), exhibits a row of bare male legs beneath the skirts of classical togas. These laugh-aloud pictures are also exquisitely designed and drawn with panache; the subtle caricatures are touched with rueful humor. Here's one holiday book to keep out all year long. (Picture book. 4+)