Author Lara Simone - The Santastical World of Traveling Santa by Childrens Author Lara Simone

Lara Simone

Lara Simone is a storyteller, adventurer, and passionate Christmas enthusiast who brings a touch of magic to everything she creates. Inspired by her own life-changing journey, Lara turned a pivotal moment in 2021—her open-heart surgery—into the spark that ignited The Santastical World of Traveling Santa. Embarking on the Camino de Santiago, Lara discovered her true calling: to craft stories that blend her love for Christmas, travel, and the beauty of the world.

A proud mother to her daughter, Rosette, who recently became a lawyer, Lara and Rosette have explored 57 countries together, collecting memories and inspiration for the tales she now shares with young readers. With a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from the University of Washington and an Executive Master of Public Administration from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, Lara’s unique background weaves analytical thinking with creative storytelling.

Her journey is fueled by the belief that the true magic of life lies in kindness, exploration, and the spirit of giving. Through her writing, Lara invites children and families to embark on SANTASTICAL adventures where the world is seen through a lens of imagination, hope, and holiday joy. Dive into her stories and let your spirit be transported to places where Christmas magic is found not only under the tree, but in every corner of the globe.

Lara's Inspiration

My background has been the cornerstone of inspiration for The Santastical World of Traveling Santa. In April 2009, my daughter, Rosette, and I, along with her best friend, Laura, and her mom, set out on a magical mother-daughter trip to New York, Paris, and Rome. Little did we know, that journey would change the course of our lives. By August of that same year, Rosette and I had moved to New York City, where dreams began to take flight. This transformative trip showed me the extraordinary power of travel to spark wonder and create lasting memories, planting the seed for what would become this book.

Since that first journey, my daughter and I have explored 57 countries together, collecting cherished ornaments and life lessons from every destination. In 2021, a pivotal moment came when I underwent open-heart surgery. This life-changing experience prompted me to pause, reflect, and embrace my passions with renewed purpose. The summer of 2023 marked another turning point as I embarked on the Camino de Santiago. Along that pilgrimage, I uncovered my true calling: to create something extraordinary that inspires children and families around the world.

Blending my love for Christmas, my passion for travel, and my delight in capturing the world’s beauty, The Santastical World of Traveling Santa was born. Each story in this book—whether set in New York, Paris, or Rome—is rooted in the real-life adventures my daughter and I shared, reimagined with a touch of magic for young readers to enjoy. This book is a celebration of the journeys that shaped us and the joy of finding wonder wherever we go.

So my friends: keep dreaming, creating, and spreading the true magic of Christmas all year long and cherish the gift of imagination—a special kind of wonder that inspires us to believe in the extraordinary and see a world full of endless possibilities.