Take the elephant bus
Let's go celebrate Christmas!
Thump thump thump, phew-!

In a corner of a palm-fringed island stands Santa Claus's toy factory.
Santa Claus makes wonderful things there.
Today we're going on a special outing on the newly built elephant bus.
Thump thump, thump! The first place the elephant bus finds is Bear's house.
Soon after, we also visit the turtle's house in the pond.
Are you okay with water? Don't worry! The Elephant Bus is a versatile bus that can take you anywhere: forests, ponds, waterfalls, caves.
Before we knew it, there was a bat dangling from the elephant bus's trunk and a turtle dangling from its tail.
Where will the elephant bus, carrying all the forest animals, head for its final stop? A delightful Christmas story, read any time of the year! If you're looking for a special Christmas, hop on board the elephant bus now.
Boom boom boom, phew!

“We want to have a Christmas party too.”
A Christmas story for everyone to enjoy together!

What if Santa wore a short-sleeved shirt instead of a red fur coat? What if he rode an elephant bus instead of a red-nosed reindeer? And what if Christmas fell on a sweltering summer day instead of a snowy winter? "The Elephant Bus" tells a story quite different from the Christmas tales we're familiar with.
Santa Claus, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, rides his homemade elephant bus and sets out to find his friends in the forest.
Let's burn the bear, squirrel, turtle, bat, and stag beetle that couldn't enjoy Christmas because they were hibernating.
Then, we'll tell you about Christmas at Santa's secret base and enjoy a fun party together.
This book resonates deeply with us living today.
Christmas is everyone's day, but some people spend it alone, at work, in a hospital bed.
If we have such neighbors around us, why not try reaching out first, like Santa Claus?

With a detailed picture
Motoyasu Keiji, who draws a large world

Motoyasu Keiji, who has consistently been loved for his "Travel" series, has hidden cute and witty imaginations throughout this work as well.
Scenes from Santa Claus's workshop, the homes of forest animal friends, and even a monkey peeking along as he follows Santa Claus on his journey...
It's quite fun to look around and see the surrounding scenery along the route the elephant bus travels.

This picture book was created as a collaborative project with McDonald's Japan several years ago.
It was originally a one-off project, but it was officially published due to a hotter-than-expected response.
I think the reason it's loved by so many children is because it's a Christmas story that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, 365 days a year, and because it shares the joy and warmth of Christmas with everyone.
I hope that the warmth of Christmas, which never fades, will remain in the hearts of those who read this book.