{"id":1325524993,"title":"Santa Retires","handle":"santa-retires","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten \u0026amp; Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\" title=\"David Biedrzycki bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDavid Biedrzycki\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSanta needs a vacation!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta loves making toys for Christmas, but when it comes time to take that night-long trip around the world every December, he's had enough. It's tiring carrying those toys all around, making sure they end up in the right home. And those chimneys are not easy for Santa to slide down anymore! When Santa and Mrs. Claus receive a brochure in the mail the day after Christmas inviting them to relax on Mistletoe Island, they are eager to check it out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe minute they arrive, they love it! They swim, surf, do lots of yoga-and even start eating healthy. The thought of returning to the North Pole does not appeal, so Santa decides to retire, much to the reindeer and elves' dismay. But can there be a Christmas without Santa-and can Santa be jolly with Christmas?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this companion book to \u003cem\u003eSanta's New Jet\u003c\/em\u003e, readers will enjoy watching Santa in an entirely new setting. David Biedrzycki's slapstick humor and eye-catching illustrations make this title a perfect read-aloud-during the holidays or anytime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.blogspot.com\/2018\/04\/charlesbridge-unplugged-4-david.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to David talk about his books on Charlesbridge Unplugged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/santas-new-jet\" title=\"Santa's New Jet\"\u003eSanta's New Jet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-spirit\" title=\"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMe and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/santa-retires-spread.jpg?11009186744179893195\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Biedrzycki, author \u0026amp; illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Biedrzycki has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as \"The Amazon Trail\" and \"Odell Down Under.\" His clients include Celestial Seasonings®, After the Fall Juices(tm), IBM, and Newsweek.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\" title=\"David Biedrzycki bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about David Biedrzycki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Book Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA work-weary Santa says, \"Sacks are getting bigger. Chimneys are getting smaller. And you never know what the weather will throw at you.\" So he and Mrs. Claus leave the elves in charge and take off for Mistletoe Island. Resort life is good to them (Santa taking dance lessons in a hula skirt will get readers laughing every time), and gets even better when the reindeer show up and join the fun, until Santa announces his retirement at dinner. The digital illustrations exuberantly serve up the comedic elements, from the exaggerated reindeer weeping to the changes in Santa's demeanor. Of course, there's a satisfying solution to the situation. The message that even those passionate about their work need the occasional break to recharge will make it easy to share the book beyond the holiday season for a career- or vacation-themed program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta is jolly when he’s making toys. Not so much when he’s delivering them: \"Forget it. Sacks are getting bigger. Chimneys are getting smaller.\" Burned out, he and Mrs. Claus head to tropical Mistletoe Island, where they begin eating healthfully and exercising. When the reindeer visit, they learn that Santa has decided to retire, and they gloomily return to the North Pole to take over—with disastrous results. Kids should get a kick out of the many fish-out-of-water scenarios Biedrzycki (\u003ci\u003eSanta’s New Jet\u003c\/i\u003e) provides as Santa tries out the diving board, tennis, and dance lessons in a grass skirt. His flashy digital art—with dazzling colors, amusing exaggeration, and silly extras—keeps things hopping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. and Mrs. Claus retire to Mistletoe Island, leaving the elves in charge at the North Pole, but they find that a life of leisure in a warm climate is not for them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first, they enjoy their new activities: walks on the beach, hula lessons and surfing. The reindeer arrive on the island for a visit, but they sadly return to the North Pole when Santa announces his permanent retirement. Before long, the quiet catches up with Santa, who misses his old routine, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus return to their old home. They soothe the upset reindeer, restore order to the toy workshop and decide that an annual vacation to Mistletoe Island will be enough to keep Santa in a jolly mood year-round. Computer-generated illustrations provide amusing images of Santa in his new athletic activities, and the reindeer are a comical cast of sidekicks. A tiny mouse character in a Santa hat can be spotted on every spread, along with a red crab he befriends on the island, creating a miniature secondary story as the two little creatures interact. The theme of Santa being tired of his job is a common one, and one more likely to be understood by adult readers than by the intended audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMildly amusing, but not a Santa story that children will ask for again and again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/santa-retires-cvr.jpg?10537530104748438429\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/santa-retires-hires.zip?10537530104748438429\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-293-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-294-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book PDF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-459-9\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e10 x 8\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2024-09-27T12:23:09-04:00","created_at":"2015-06-23T11:59:49-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Format_Early Reader","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Holidays"],"price":398,"price_min":398,"price_max":398,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":795,"compare_at_price_min":795,"compare_at_price_max":795,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":3993672961,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"92940","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":12947439059023,"product_id":1325524993,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-10-08T09:31:07-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T14:23:27-04:00","alt":"Santa Retires book cover","width":600,"height":480,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/santa-retires-cover.jpg?v=1586802207","variant_ids":[3993672961]},"available":true,"name":"Santa Retires - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":398,"weight":150,"compare_at_price":795,"inventory_quantity":159,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"978-1-58089-294-0","featured_media":{"alt":"Santa Retires book cover","id":2482179473487,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.25,"height":480,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/santa-retires-cover.jpg?v=1586802207"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/santa-retires-cover.jpg?v=1586802207"],"featured_image":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/santa-retires-cover.jpg?v=1586802207","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Santa Retires book cover","id":2482179473487,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.25,"height":480,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/santa-retires-cover.jpg?v=1586802207"},"aspect_ratio":1.25,"height":480,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/santa-retires-cover.jpg?v=1586802207","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten \u0026amp; Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\" title=\"David Biedrzycki bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDavid Biedrzycki\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSanta needs a vacation!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta loves making toys for Christmas, but when it comes time to take that night-long trip around the world every December, he's had enough. It's tiring carrying those toys all around, making sure they end up in the right home. And those chimneys are not easy for Santa to slide down anymore! When Santa and Mrs. Claus receive a brochure in the mail the day after Christmas inviting them to relax on Mistletoe Island, they are eager to check it out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe minute they arrive, they love it! They swim, surf, do lots of yoga-and even start eating healthy. The thought of returning to the North Pole does not appeal, so Santa decides to retire, much to the reindeer and elves' dismay. But can there be a Christmas without Santa-and can Santa be jolly with Christmas?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this companion book to \u003cem\u003eSanta's New Jet\u003c\/em\u003e, readers will enjoy watching Santa in an entirely new setting. David Biedrzycki's slapstick humor and eye-catching illustrations make this title a perfect read-aloud-during the holidays or anytime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.blogspot.com\/2018\/04\/charlesbridge-unplugged-4-david.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to David talk about his books on Charlesbridge Unplugged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/santas-new-jet\" title=\"Santa's New Jet\"\u003eSanta's New Jet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-spirit\" title=\"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMe and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/santa-retires-spread.jpg?11009186744179893195\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Biedrzycki, author \u0026amp; illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Biedrzycki has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as \"The Amazon Trail\" and \"Odell Down Under.\" His clients include Celestial Seasonings®, After the Fall Juices(tm), IBM, and Newsweek.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\" title=\"David Biedrzycki bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about David Biedrzycki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Book Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA work-weary Santa says, \"Sacks are getting bigger. Chimneys are getting smaller. And you never know what the weather will throw at you.\" So he and Mrs. Claus leave the elves in charge and take off for Mistletoe Island. Resort life is good to them (Santa taking dance lessons in a hula skirt will get readers laughing every time), and gets even better when the reindeer show up and join the fun, until Santa announces his retirement at dinner. The digital illustrations exuberantly serve up the comedic elements, from the exaggerated reindeer weeping to the changes in Santa's demeanor. Of course, there's a satisfying solution to the situation. The message that even those passionate about their work need the occasional break to recharge will make it easy to share the book beyond the holiday season for a career- or vacation-themed program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta is jolly when he’s making toys. Not so much when he’s delivering them: \"Forget it. Sacks are getting bigger. Chimneys are getting smaller.\" Burned out, he and Mrs. Claus head to tropical Mistletoe Island, where they begin eating healthfully and exercising. When the reindeer visit, they learn that Santa has decided to retire, and they gloomily return to the North Pole to take over—with disastrous results. Kids should get a kick out of the many fish-out-of-water scenarios Biedrzycki (\u003ci\u003eSanta’s New Jet\u003c\/i\u003e) provides as Santa tries out the diving board, tennis, and dance lessons in a grass skirt. His flashy digital art—with dazzling colors, amusing exaggeration, and silly extras—keeps things hopping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. and Mrs. Claus retire to Mistletoe Island, leaving the elves in charge at the North Pole, but they find that a life of leisure in a warm climate is not for them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first, they enjoy their new activities: walks on the beach, hula lessons and surfing. The reindeer arrive on the island for a visit, but they sadly return to the North Pole when Santa announces his permanent retirement. Before long, the quiet catches up with Santa, who misses his old routine, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus return to their old home. They soothe the upset reindeer, restore order to the toy workshop and decide that an annual vacation to Mistletoe Island will be enough to keep Santa in a jolly mood year-round. Computer-generated illustrations provide amusing images of Santa in his new athletic activities, and the reindeer are a comical cast of sidekicks. A tiny mouse character in a Santa hat can be spotted on every spread, along with a red crab he befriends on the island, creating a miniature secondary story as the two little creatures interact. The theme of Santa being tired of his job is a common one, and one more likely to be understood by adult readers than by the intended audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMildly amusing, but not a Santa story that children will ask for again and again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/santa-retires-cvr.jpg?10537530104748438429\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/santa-retires-hires.zip?10537530104748438429\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-293-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-294-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book PDF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-459-9\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e10 x 8\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Santa Retires

Written & Illustrated by: David Biedrzycki

Santa needs a vacation!

Santa loves making toys for Christmas, but when it comes time to take that night-long trip around the world every December, he's had enough. It's tiring carrying those toys all around, making sure they end up in the right home. And those chimneys are not easy for Santa to slide down anymore! When Santa and Mrs. Claus receive a brochure in the mail the day after Christmas inviting them to relax on Mistletoe Island, they are eager to check it out.

The minute they arrive, they love it! They swim, surf, do lots of yoga-and even start eating healthy. The thought of returning to the North Pole does not appeal, so Santa decides to retire, much to the reindeer and elves' dismay. But can there be a Christmas without Santa-and can Santa be jolly with Christmas?

In this companion book to Santa's New Jet, readers will enjoy watching Santa in an entirely new setting. David Biedrzycki's slapstick humor and eye-catching illustrations make this title a perfect read-aloud-during the holidays or anytime.

Listen to David talk about his books on Charlesbridge Unplugged.

$ 7.95
Maximum quantity available reached.

David Biedrzycki, author & illustrator

David Biedrzycki has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as "The Amazon Trail" and "Odell Down Under." His clients include Celestial Seasonings®, After the Fall Juices(tm), IBM, and Newsweek.

Read more about David Biedrzycki.

  • Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Book Award

School Library Journal

A work-weary Santa says, "Sacks are getting bigger. Chimneys are getting smaller. And you never know what the weather will throw at you." So he and Mrs. Claus leave the elves in charge and take off for Mistletoe Island. Resort life is good to them (Santa taking dance lessons in a hula skirt will get readers laughing every time), and gets even better when the reindeer show up and join the fun, until Santa announces his retirement at dinner. The digital illustrations exuberantly serve up the comedic elements, from the exaggerated reindeer weeping to the changes in Santa's demeanor. Of course, there's a satisfying solution to the situation. The message that even those passionate about their work need the occasional break to recharge will make it easy to share the book beyond the holiday season for a career- or vacation-themed program.

Publishers Weekly

Santa is jolly when he’s making toys. Not so much when he’s delivering them: "Forget it. Sacks are getting bigger. Chimneys are getting smaller." Burned out, he and Mrs. Claus head to tropical Mistletoe Island, where they begin eating healthfully and exercising. When the reindeer visit, they learn that Santa has decided to retire, and they gloomily return to the North Pole to take over—with disastrous results. Kids should get a kick out of the many fish-out-of-water scenarios Biedrzycki (Santa’s New Jet) provides as Santa tries out the diving board, tennis, and dance lessons in a grass skirt. His flashy digital art—with dazzling colors, amusing exaggeration, and silly extras—keeps things hopping.

Kirkus Reviews

Mr. and Mrs. Claus retire to Mistletoe Island, leaving the elves in charge at the North Pole, but they find that a life of leisure in a warm climate is not for them.

At first, they enjoy their new activities: walks on the beach, hula lessons and surfing. The reindeer arrive on the island for a visit, but they sadly return to the North Pole when Santa announces his permanent retirement. Before long, the quiet catches up with Santa, who misses his old routine, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus return to their old home. They soothe the upset reindeer, restore order to the toy workshop and decide that an annual vacation to Mistletoe Island will be enough to keep Santa in a jolly mood year-round. Computer-generated illustrations provide amusing images of Santa in his new athletic activities, and the reindeer are a comical cast of sidekicks. A tiny mouse character in a Santa hat can be spotted on every spread, along with a red crab he befriends on the island, creating a miniature secondary story as the two little creatures interact. The theme of Santa being tired of his job is a common one, and one more likely to be understood by adult readers than by the intended audience.

Mildly amusing, but not a Santa story that children will ask for again and again.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-293-3

Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-58089-294-0

E-book PDF
ISBN: 978-1-60734-459-9

Ages: 4-8
Page count: 32
10 x 8