A lyrical Christmas story for children and families that follows Sam as he catches a ride on a Santa Boat, a floating sleigh that brings Santa Claus to children in remote locations on the West Coast.

Mounted on the flying Santa Cows, the Schwartzes travel to the South Seas for a New Year's vacation.

Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kep beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches. Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone, and this beautifully written novel is her story. It is a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply. More than this, it is an adventure of the spirit that will haunt the reader long after the book has been put down. Karana's quiet courage, her Indian self-reliance and acceptance of fate, transform what to many would have been a devastating ordeal into an uplifting experience. From loneliness and terror come strength and serenity in this Newbery Medal-winning classic.

Young Sam McGuffin stows away on Santa's sleigh one Christmas Eve, intending to visit the North Pole, but instead he discovers the secret island paradise where Santa and his elves vacation every year when their work is done.

Sam's sister, accompanied by their father, is in a city hospital, far away from their home on a remote island off the West Coast. Determined to be with his family for Christmas, Sam catches a ride on a Santa Boat, a vessel that brings Santa Claus to visit children along the coast. Before Sam is finally delivered to the city, he will become a seasoned deckhand and Santa's helper. And he will know what it is to bring happiness to others at Christmas, a present he will be able to share with his sister, who is waiting for him. In this beautiful picturebook, a distinguished author and illustrator team up to pay tribute to Kaare Norgaard, who annually transformed his ship, the Blue Fjord, into a floating sleigh that delivered Christmas gifts to island children who would otherwise do without.

The Callahan family always seems to find a winter adventure during their holiday vacations. But thisyear they're making a change and spending thebreak in the tropics! It seems like nothing couldpossibly go wrong on this trip to Christmas Islandin Florida, but danger has a strange way of findingits way to Santa Paws and the Callahans. This timeit's Santa Paws who needs help, and you'll never guess who comes to his rescue. It will be a magicalholiday for everyone!