Santa Claus has landed outback and is busily checking his list. The kangaroos are in charge of all the presents and his koala helpers are not being much help at all! And are those crocodiles really a-snoozing? With surfing sharks, skiing snakes, dancing dingoes, leaping lizards and lots more, Michael Salmons Aussie characters come to life in pictures and verse. Welcome to Christmas down-under!

The book is a collection of stories and ideas that have an Australian flavour. It is a teachers inspirational idea used to hold the attention of the children in the month up to Christmas. Like the advent calendars filled with lollies, this book has a daily December treat for the child opening each date. It also serves to provide some cultural practices and language that is Aussi in nature. It is also hoped that children will learn more by writing to the author at the little black dogs e-mail address. I believe that by engaging children more teachers can provide greater opportunity for individual growth. I see our job as catalyst to move children on to independent thinking.

Christmas.com, Inc. presents personal narratives and other information related to the celebration of Christmas in Australia. Christmas.com, Inc. includes the recipe for Broken Hill Pudding and notes that since Australia is in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is celebrated during the summer.

Special 10th anniversary edition of an Aussie holiday favourite. Twas the night before Christmas; there wasnt a sound. Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around. Wed left on the table some tucker and beer, Hoping that Santa Claus soon would be here. Christmas in the middle of an Australian summer means Santa has to find new ways to deliver his presents. The obvious solutions are to don a sunhat, shorts and a pair of thongs, not to mention ditching the sleigh and reindeer in favour of some roos and a ute. The gentle illustrations are packed with familiar icons cleverly woven into the visual narrative to recreate the warm, comforting, family atmosphere that Christmas is all about.

What country holds the title as the world's smallest continent and yet the world's largest island? I stands for island, but one that's not too small. Our island is enormous. Just try to see it all! There's no place else quite like it; that is clearly true. Australia is a continent, but it's an island, too. Originally founded as a penal colony, Australia has long been known for its contrasts (think: wild outback and sophisticated Sydney Opera House). Accompanied by vibrant colorful artwork, D is for Down Under: An Australia Alphabet captures the spirit of this proud country and its many treasures, natural and man-made. Visit spectacular Sydney Harbor, try your hand as a jackaroo working a sheep station, or just sit back and enjoy a Vegemite sandwich. Below the starry night glitter of the Southern Cross constellation, Australia's "down under" wonders shine brightly. Devin Scillian is an award-winning author and Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist. His books with Sleeping Bear Press include the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. Devin lives in Michigan and anchors the news for WDIV-TV in Detroit. Geoff Cook has been illustrating for 35 years. His career began as a graphic designer, after graduating from Prahran College in Melbourne. Soon realizing he wanted to be an illustrator, he became a partner in the illustration studio All Australian Graffiti. He lives in Australia.

We had our share of Christmas invites, to be sure. But after last year's travel between hubby's parents and my own relatives, we threw in the towel this year. A vacation away - that's what we needed! It only took a little convincing for me to decide that Australia would be a good first international trip to attempt as a family. And with Abby's current obsession with koala bears, I'm sure it will be a hit.