THE WORST PERSON'S CHRISTMAS

It was inevitable that this perennial Scrooge would finally encounter Christmas and mellow just a bit; still, fans should be amused by his typically curmudgeonly shenanigans before an unpremeditated sled journey precipitates him into a neighborhood party that softens him up in spite of himself. As usual, Stevenson's expertly scribbled illustrations are more than half the fun—eye-pleasing and witty. (Picture book. 4+)