Over the Hedge by T Lewis and Michael Fry for December 13, 2023

From School Library Journal

When the abandoned, zombie-eyed inflatable Santa that Dad left on the roof for an entire year (while he was off in North Dakota working in the oil fields) deflates and attacks Bobbie Mendoza, leaving her with a broken wrist and an epic case of angst, Bobbie decides that Christmas stinks and she is going to ignore it entirely. Then she realizes that her little brother’s happiness depends on his belief in Christmas and Santa Claus. Her attempt to get him the gift of his dreams lands them both on Santa’s Naughty List, which turns out to be a lot more serious than she could have imagined. Cinematic mayhem includes the evil Watcher, a depressed Santa, Larry the Red-Antlered Reindeer, a helpful whale, lots of refried beans, murderous snow angels, Seal Team Nine (made up of actual marine mammals with helicopter beanies), and an entire contingent of blow dryer-wielding snowmen. Bobbie and her maybe not-so-crazy uncle Dale are tasked with taking down the Watcher and ending the Naughty List for good, and both learn Important Things about courage, family, and the holiday spirit. VERDICT This graphic novel/fantasy hybrid should appeal to graduates of Captain Underpants.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Wait, the cow has had a name all this time?

Naught like a vieled threat.

Verne, I should find somewhere safe to hide on the 25th.

Uncertainty (of possible consequences) can keep some from doing something which they probably shouldn’t be doing (anyway).

It’s only 12 more days. After that you can go back to being yourselves.

They’re on the Neutral List.

I ask my wife if she’d like to make a foray onto the naughty list with me, but she tells me to get lost.

You two had better watch out …… because Barb might just decide to land on “YOU” two ….. :)

I was going to ask how or on what was she on, but it’s probably all the methane she hasn’t released yet.

Not till the end of the year. LOOK OUT, VERNE when Boxing Day gets here.

Sounds like a bum steer