Li'l Genius #38

When Li'l Genius's father attempts to fix a broken-down car with help from his eager young son, the job quickly spirals out of control—so much so that he has to call in a professional mechanic named Joe. But when the boy's mother leaves Li'l Genius in Joe's care while she goes shopping, the well-meaning helper transforms the repair shop into absolute chaos, accidentally wreaking havoc on everything from the car lift to Joe's tools and patience. By the time the parents return to pick up their freshly repaired vehicle, Joe has added an unexpected and costly line item to the bill—baby-sitting charges.

Hildegarde's been climbing, jumping, and swinging around the house like an acrobat—and her puzzled parents are convinced she's desperate to see the circus trapeze artists. When they finally take her to the carnival the next day, she reveals what she was actually practicing for all along in this playful three-page romp from Li'l Genius #38.

Li'l Genius sets out to find practical Christmas gifts for his relatives at the department store, picking out what he thinks will be perfect for each family member. When his mother can't find him in the lobby afterward and the store detective launches a search, Li'l Genius ends up stranded in an unexpected place—but his shopping instincts may yet save the day.