CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK
written by Stephanie Greene
illustrated by Chris Sheban
Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 9780061214868
Ages 7-12
96 pages

Pipsqueak is a mouse. Her papa calls her “Pip” for short. Because Pip was so small when she was born, Mama and Papa made a nest for her in a teacup. Pip loves to skate on the pond at Stony Creek. On winter nights, Pip and her family sit in front of the fireplace roasting chestnuts, which they all share.

One night Papa tells Pip and the rest of the family that he must leave to find food. He promises to return in two days --- three at the most. While he is gone, Pip must help Mama care for the family.

Pip is the quiet one. When she isn’t outside skating, she’s reading a book. Her brother Kit likes to whittle. Twins Nan and Nibs play together, and baby Finny enjoys eating and making noise. Will is the oldest and the bravest; he walks with a limp after being mauled by a cat in the house at Land’s End, which is also where Pip’s beloved Uncle Hank died.

Land’s End is “the house perched at the edge of a cliff overlooking the woods.” The people who live there built the house by cutting down trees and destroying the homes of the animals living in the woods. Food is plentiful at Land’s End, but it is also a very dangerous place. Besides the hungry cat, there is a deadly trap, which is what killed Uncle Hank. After Will’s injury and Uncle Hank’s death, Mama has made Pip promise never to go near Land’s End. Pip has always been too afraid to even think about disobeying her.

After Papa is gone for more than a week, Pip is sent outside to look for food, but all she finds are some seeds and a small piece of corncob. On her way back she stops to skate and doesn’t notice how late it is. She struggles to make it home with the help of her special walking stick, which her Uncle Hank had helped make. It is made of hickory wood; he once told her there is “nothing stronger.”

With two days left until Christmas, Papa has yet to return. Mama sends Pip to visit Aunt Pitty, an old rabbit, whose warren smells of apples and cinnamon. Aunt Pitty gives Pip seeds and berries to take home for the family and tells her to be brave. On her way back to the nest, Pip is stalked by a huge owl. With the help of her special walking stick, she barely escapes the owl’s talons but loses the food from Aunt Pitty and returns home empty-handed.

By Christmas Eve Papa still isn’t home. Mama has saved up some food for the Christmas celebration, but the family is still hungry. Pip asks Will about Land’s End. He warns her to be careful and makes her promise not to go near the trap. After Mama falls asleep, she slips outside. It is cold and dark, but Pip knows what she must do.

Will Pip make it to Land’s End? Will she bring back food for the family? And what has happened to Papa? Will he return home in time for Christmas?

CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK is a warm and whimsical story with a gentle message of love, bravery, sacrifice and the blessings of being a family. It is a delightful book for families to read together in front of a warm fireplace on a cold winter’s night --- and to pick up again any time of the year.

    --- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt (dvolkenannt@charter.net)

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