Pizza and Taco 8, Best Christmas ever! 8, Best Christmas ever! /

K-Gr 2--Best friends Pizza and Taco are back, this time looking forward to Christmastime and the presents that Santa Slaw will surely bring them. Their spirits are dampened when they recall that Santa Slaw only brings presents to "good children." Luckily, the pair have months before the big day to polish up their records. The series theme of friendly competition carries through, with the pair vying to see who can demonstrate more niceness by raking leaves and doing chores without being asked. They even exchange pleasant holiday wishes with their frenemy, Cheeseburger. When Pizza is disappointed that they didn't get every present on their wish list, Taco comes through to remind them that some presents are too big to fit under a tree. Shaskan packs a lot of emotion and action into very simple lines and shapes. Dialogue presented in speech balloons contains just a few words each, and the panel structure is uncomplicated. Frequent repetition of the duo's catchphrases "YAAAS!" and "AWESOME!" will enable beginning readers to recognize them, even though they may be unlikely to appear on a typical sight-word list. The Christmas focus is limited to secular elements: the anticipation of gifts, a festive gathering, and goodwill toward others. VERDICT Fans will welcome this nice addition to the series.--Jennifer Costa