Early December once again found Santa...

Early December once again found Santa Claus in the paperback section of his favorite bookstore, looking for last-minute gifts. The budget cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency meant he could get away with lumps of coal for the people on the “naughty” list, he figured, but he still needed some presents for the “nice.”

THE PENGUIN HISTORICAL ATLAS SERIES ($16.95 each; 144 pp., paperback originals). Readers who prefer to journey through time as well as space will appreciate an attractive new series, including “The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome” “The Penguin Historical Atlas of North America,” “The Penguin Historical Atlas of Russia” and “The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings.” In addition to clear maps and concise texts, each volume contains a wealth of visual information: paintings, artifacts, buildings, portraits, inscriptions and more.

After lighting a small fire in the O.J. Simpson section of the bookstore, Santa departed with his traditional apostrophe, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Read! “