Cartoonist Peter Woolcock's latest book, `WOPPENED 7', is on sale for $11.95, not $15 as reported in Tuesday's Living section.

Reminding us at the beginning of each December that Christmas looms (once again) just around the corner, is the annual appearance in the Island's bookstores of Peter Woolcock's book of cartoons.

`Woppened' (Bermuwjan for What Happened) No. 7, has duly made its appearance, and once again, it's sure to be a popular Christmas stocking stuffer.

Referring to this year's cover (the only cartoon which is drawn specially for the book, the remainder being a reprint of the cartoons that brighten up each Friday's Royal Gazette ), Mr. Woolcock says it was inspired by what he sees as a deterioration in Bermuda's political climate.

"I've always been an advocate of bi-partisan harmony and I'm sure I am not the only one who is alarmed to see the country's good playing second fiddle to the `brownie-point' scoring, back-stabbing and squabbling which seems to be the order of the day now. What purpose does this serve?'' The popular cartoonist says he was especially fascinated by this month's cover of the RG Magazine, which shows the Premier, the Hon. Sir John Swan and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Frederick Wade, complete with Santa Claus hats, pulling a Christmas cracker.

"I love the body language of that cover! These are two good men, but if you look at how they seem to be pulling, not the cracker, but away from each other, it would appear that they are physically incapable of any bi-partisan action -- even if it's something as harmless as pulling a cracker together in the cause of Christmas! So I began to think, where do you now find an example of honest, grass roots basic concern for humanity? Why, Johnny Barnes, of course!'' How nice it would be, he goes on to reflect, if we could get these politicians giving us all a wave, without any thoughts of `brownie point'-gathering, or elections on the horizon.

"So I decided to stop thinking about it and just put my thoughts on to the cover.'' There are warm endorsements this year from former Mayor of Hamilton, the Rt.

Wor. Cecil Dismont, who singles out Mr. Woolcock's ability to "sum up a situation and capture the very spirit of Bermuda and Bermudian ways, but never with malice''.

Theatre director Patricia Pogson, for whom Peter Woolcock appeared in last year's Jabulani Repertory Company production of `Love Letters' goes even further, suggesting that "no school should be without this series''. She admits that she considers his unique cartoons to be an important tool in her school civics and social studies classes.

"I'd noticed,'' says Mr. Woolcock with a wry little grin, "that those opinionated little lizards wanted centre stage. I turned that request down flat, and said `No!''' -- which goes some way in explaining the back cover, where a worried-looking cartoonist is perched on a seat, marked with (of all things), the letters `TNT'. Lurking ominously close and obviously up to no good, are the irrepressible pair of lizards whose scales of ambition and wit now know no bounds.

`Woppened 7', which is published by Aardvark Communications, is on sale at The Bermuda Book Store, the Phoenix, the Hamilton Pharmacy and selected stores throughout the Island and costs $15.

WOOLCOCK'S WOPPENED -- Peter Woolcock with his latest collection of cartoons in this year's `Woppened 7'.