Young Kiwis have reimagined Santa’s sleigh, with their designs celebrated in a new Christmas Story by children’s author Sophie Beer.
The LEGO Group is set to unveil an incredible holiday display that will debut at the Farmers Santa Parade as a float – a LEGO Sleigh. Reimagined for a New Zealand summer, this float was designed by talented young Kiwis who were tasked with creating a sleigh for Santa that would be fit for deliveries down under.
To make the holidays more playful, the LEGO Group has called on Kiwi kids to let their imaginations run wild and redesign Santa’s Sleigh for an epic summer adventure across New Zealand and Australia. Among the incredible submissions, the Tractor Sleigh and Koru Sleigh designs by brother-sister duo 11-year-old Aston and eight-year-old Ruby were selected by the LEGO Group to represent New Zealand in this special holiday project, which will make its grand debut at the Farmers Santa Parade.
Not only will their sleigh be showcased as a float in the Farmers Santa Parade, they will also be featured in a new digital book, downloadable at LEGO.com/Christmas – Santa’s Summer Sleigh. The LEGO Group partnered with award-winning children’s author and illustrator Sophie Beer to turn the children’s sleigh designs into an exciting Christmas story families can enjoy together. Furthermore, the book has been recorded as an audiobook, and translated into te reo Māori – a first for the LEGO Group. This audiobook can be accessed on the website as well.
“Bringing these incredible sleigh designs to life has been such a joy. Each one captures the playful imagination and festive spirit of Christmas in Australia and New Zealand, with kiwis, tractors, and korus, giving Santa’s ride a true Kiwiana twist! I hope Santa’s Summer Sleigh becomes a story families love sharing, inspiring kids everywhere to see the magic in their own ideas and holiday traditions,” said Sophie Beer, Children’s author and illustrator.
Santa’s Summer Sleigh will also be available in English and te reo Māori on Spotify and Apple Podcast as an audiobook, allowing families to dive into Santa’s summer deliveries wherever they are. Perfect for cozying up with loved ones, it makes a magical ‘night before Christmas’ listening experience that adds a fun Kiwi twist to holiday traditions.
“It is so cool that we were able to design a sleigh for Santa that’s perfect for a New Zealand summer! The Tractor Sleigh is inspired by our small beach town and the red tractors that pull boats to the beach every summer,” said Ruby.
“I then imagined Santa flying around New Zealand with Kiwis leading the way, carrying a boat full of cool kiwiana presents. We hope our sleigh brings some of our town’s magic to Santa’s journey around NZ and that he loves it as much as we do!”
“I was so excited to design the Koru for the book because we thought it would be cool to bring the native New Zealand koru plant to life to help Santa get around. The shape of the koru looks like a sleigh on its side, and with the kiwi birds guiding him, it would be the perfect way for Santa to get around New Zealand,” said Aston.
Justine McKenny, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at LEGO Australia and New Zealand, said it had been wonderful to see the creativity of Kiwi children who have reimagined what Santa’s sleigh could look like down under.
“We believe every LEGO build tells a story which is why we’re also delighted to team up with beloved children’s author, Sophie Beer, to create a Christmas story that will inspire families to embrace the magic of the holiday season together.”
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