Robin’s Christmas Journey

Over the mountain and through the snow, to Grandpa’s house he’ll go—such is the plotted course for Robin the mouse’s solo holiday trip. Determined to spend Christmas with his grandfather, who lives on the other side of the mountain, Robin fills his backpack with clothes and a gift, grabs a sleeping bag, and sets off. Following rugged terrain, he encounters rough weather and a hungry falcon, and he crashes on his homemade snowboard before even marking the halfway point. More near-calamities arise, but intrepid Robin treks on, finally arriving at Grandpa’s empty-handed. Happily, the elder mouse assures his grandson that the best gift of all is not the one that got away but Robin’s own arrival. With snowy woodland scenes and a chipper protagonist up for any challenge, Onodera brings readers along on a suspenseful ride to a welcoming destination filled with Christmas spirit. Ages 4–9. [em](Sept.) [/em]