Santa Claus vs the Easter Bunny

There are ho ho hos aplenty in this wonderful story of neighbourly envy turning into productive, happy co-operation. Santa and the Easter Bunny live next door to one another, and poor Bunny is overwhelmed by the unfairness inherent in their working lives – while he runs a one-bunny operation making, wrapping and delivering chocolate eggs, Santa has teams of elves to help him assemble and deliver his presents. To add to the Easter Bunny’s bitterness, Santa receives thank-you presents from every child while who leaves anything out in return for their Easter eggs? Finally driven to act, the Easter Bunny tries to sabotage Christmas and though his plan backfires it leads to a brand new partnership between the two operations, and a much easier and happier life for him, even if, as sharp-eyed youngsters will notice, Santa still gets the better deal.

Fred Blunt’s scribbly comic strip style illustrations fizzle with energy and this delivery of festive fun will entertain children long after the Christmas decorations have been put away. For all its silliness, there’s lots to get them thinking too.