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Everyone Is Valuable
Santa’s Last Ride follows the Claus family after Santa throws out his back feeding the reindeer and decides it is time for his twelve-year-old son to take over; however, he does not want the job, but his sister does. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story originated with James. Getting tired of Christmas songs on the hours long trip to Iowa for Christmas, he began to tell this story to his kids to pass the time. He has two children – an older son and younger daughter also aged two years apart. They were his greatest inspiration.
I loved the interactions between Christopher and Kristy; they were believable and entertaining, with heartwarming moments as well. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
James and I are siblings. There were five more of us growing up. We are stuffed full of sibling interactions, mostly of a humorous nature. We grew up in a rambunctious and laughter filled environment.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Most important is the idea that everyone is valuable in their own way and not even a disability or a perceived disability changes that. In fact, I got involved in this book when James sent me an email of a very bare bones version of the story and asked me to put it in legible form. James has dyslexia, which was why he asked for my help. After much internet interact, we added to and filled out the story until it became ‘our’ book.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
We have had feedback from a number of fans asking what comes next. Some want to know when the movie is coming out. There are a number of issues we see that could be addressed in future. Considering their new positions in the Claus family how do Chris and Kristy, still quite young, handle the adults in the world they will have to interact with? From the North Pole how do you go to school, college, or date? With the planet warming up what will the family do about a shrinking North Pole? There’s no ground under the North Pole ice. What’s next for Mr. and Mrs. Claus?
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
While Santa’s mind is fixed on training Christopher, Mrs. Claus, daughter, Kristy, and Christopher are determined to find a way to tell Santa the obvious – which he seems to be stubbornly ignoring – that Christopher is unsuitable for the job. The family is keeping Christopher’s secret and it will only be sprung on Santa on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile Kristy, just ten years old, feels she is up to the task of taking Santa’s place.
Christmas Eve finds Santa and his trainee taking off for high flying adventures around the world, including natural disasters – angry dogs, cracking ice – and some disasters not so natural – smoking chimneys, frightening encounters with jets. When Santa discovers his family has tricked him, he nearly turns the sleigh around, to end the flight. Christopher and Kristy have to impress their father with their talents. Kristy especially has to believe in herself enough to convince Santa that, working together, they just might be able to save Christmas.
Santa’s Last Ride
Santa’s Last Ride tells the story of a family at the North Pole where Santa Claus is nearing the end of his career. His son, Chris, is expected to take on the role of Santa, but he has little interest in reindeer or flying and harbors a deep fear of heights. His daughter, Kristy, however, adores the reindeer and dreams of soaring through the skies. The story unfolds with humor, family tension, and a lot of heart, exploring tradition, expectations, and the possibility of change in a world bound by old rules.
I found myself grinning through the opening chapters. The playful back-and-forth between Kristy and Chris had the messy, real feel of siblings who know exactly how to get under each other’s skin. What struck me most was how ordinary family dynamics were woven into this magical setting. The North Pole felt less like a faraway fairy tale and more like a farm kitchen or workshop down the road. The dialogue often landed with warmth. I liked that it didn’t shy away from showing Santa as tired and even vulnerable, weighed down by age and pain.
The story leans on familiar Christmas imagery, but the book is charming. I would have liked more moments where the tradition of Santa collided with the modern world. Kristy’s longing to step into a role she’s told isn’t hers felt both funny and frustrating, and I caught myself cheering her on. The writing had a cozy rhythm that made the chapters fly by.
This is a story about family, tradition, and courage dressed up in the glitter and frost of the North Pole. I would recommend it to middle-grade readers who enjoy holiday tales that mix humor with heart. Kids who love Santa stories will find a lot to laugh at, and adults might smile at the way it reflects the small struggles of growing up and letting go. It’s best suited for anyone who wants a warm, lighthearted read in the glow of Christmas lights.
Pages: 105 | ASIN : B0DD4LR8QP
LITERARY TITAN 