"SANTA'S HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY" by Malia Collins, Linda Maliuana Oszajca illustrator; BeachHouse Publishing, ages 4 and up, $14.95

This book supposes that when Santa needs a vacation, he does what so many others do: He heads to Hawai'i. Written in rhyme, the book follows Santa as he cruises around O'ahu to relax and do the things tourists tend to do. He goes to Hale'iwa for a dip, tries a hula lesson at Diamond Head, shops at Longs in 'Ewa Beach for macadamia nuts and Saloon Pilot crackers, then hits Chinatown and Ala Moana. His trip to the Islands inspires a Hawaiian twist on his round the world gift-giving. Illustrated with amusing images of a laid-back Santa, this is a good gift choice for former Islanders living away from home.

"THE STORY OF ALOHA BEAR" by Dick Adair, Stephanie Britt illustrator; Island Heritage, ages 2-6, $11.95

"There was a stowaway / on Santa's sleigh / the night he left the pole.

A furry little bear / in underwear, / A warmer place his goal."

Honolulu Advertiser editorial cartoonist Dick Adair's sweet rhyming tale opens with the fuzzy yellow toy that has grown weary of the snow and ice at home. The bear is secretly tucked away in Santa's toy bag bound for Hawai'i, hopeful that Santa won't mind when he finds out and might allow the bear to stay here. Aptly complemented by cheerful, illustrations, this warm story makes a good holiday choice for the very young.

"ANGELA AND THE BABY JESUS" by Frank McCourt, Raul Colon illustrator; Simon and Schuster, all ages, $17.99, Scribner, all ages, $14.95

Publishers Simon and Schuster, and Scribner, offer two separate versions of this moving Christmas story from "Angela's Ashes" by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt. "Angela and the Baby Jesus" tells the story of the day McCourt's mother, who, at 6 years old, took the figure of a naked baby Jesus from her parish church in Limerick, Ireland, because she thought he was cold without a blanket. McCourt transforms the simple story, passed on to him by his mother, Angela, into a timeless tale of love, family and tradition. Simon and Schuster's picture book for young readers offers a larger format and exquisite art by Raul Colon in watercolor, colored pencil and lithograph pencil. The Scribner edition, smaller and more intimate, is a gift book for adults.

Also new and of note:

"KRAKEN-KA THE KOMODO DRAGON: A TALE OF INDONESIA" by Jodi Parry Belknap and Tamara Montgomery, Joseph D. Dodd illustrator; Calabash Books, ages 8-12, $19.95

A handsomely illustrated, well-told folk tale about the world's first dragon, Kraken-ka, is set on Komodo island in Indonesia. When Naga, the goddess of wisdom and beauty, creates the dragon, she gives the creature one law to live by: "Take from the earth only what you need." Kraken-ka has a difficult time obeying the law. Written in lyrical prose, with paintings inspired by the Wayang Kulit puppet tradition of Indonesia, this big, striking book is altogether a wonderful piece of work. This is the first of a series of original stories planned by a collaboration between University of Hawai'i children's theater director Tamara Montgomery, editor/publisher Jodi Parry Belknap and UH professor of scenic design Joseph D. Dodd. The book includes a CD with activities for young readers and education activities for teachers.

"SUN AND RAIN: EXPLORING SEASONS IN HAWAI'I" by Stephanie Feeney; University of Hawai'i Press, ages 4-8, $13.95

If you think Hawai'i has no seasons, think again. Feeney impresses with her take on the subject of changes in Island weather in this new release.

Native Hawaiian Books at Ward Warehouse is launching "Sun and Rain" with a book-signing event 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A limited number of copies will be available. More books will be arrive in local bookstores in the next two weeks.