This book reaches a number of goals. Australia has the unique distinction of being in the Southern Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere. Sydney, Australia is just two Time Zones from the International Dateline. Joey the Christmas Kangaroo not only brings these two hemispheres into play, but also brings the summer season and a new animal character onto the Christmas scene. Just as Joey says in this book, "Christmas belongs to the world." It has always seemed to me there was an emptiness on the seat next to Santa. My feelings are that Joey the Christmas Kangaroo fills this emptiness, gives a little more warmth and brings many more smiles to Santa's sleigh.