Molly makes a homecoming

December 23, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 11th chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. It took all of 30 seconds inside of town square for them to be spotted. Elliot Spicer, assistant to Mayor Gingerman, looked up from his clipboard as he exited Town Hall. Jax was busy watching the cinnamon stick bugs fly in and out of the large town square fountain that had melted butter, instead of water, cascading into a shallow pool. “Molly Gingersnap,” Mr. Spicer said in a stern voice, but not taking his eyes ...

Friends return to Gingerbread Island

December 22, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 10th chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Jax and the other boy stared at each other for a moment. Jax rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Well, that’s kind of a long story.” He glanced at Molly. “Molly, this is my big brother, Jett. Jett, this is my friend Molly.” Molly smiled at Jett, who looked confused. “Nice to meet you. And you...” he faced his brother, a slow grin spreading across his face. “You missed me so much that you ...

Molly’s big idea begins to take shape

December 18, 2025

Jax did indeed have a story. His mother and Bash’s mother met during a family day at Sugardrop Beach 30 years prior, striking up a forbidden conversation on the sand, and had remained friends through letters and secrecy. They introduced the boys when Jax was born and Bash was 2 years old, and they had been friends ever since. Molly wondered just how many people in the realms of Candyland had secret friendships with people outside their own. She was starting to think many, and it gave her hope. Now though, the clock was ticking for them to get in and back out of the mountain ...

Molly, Jax stare up at Marshmallow Mountain

December 17, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sixth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. When Molly and Jax arrived at the base of the tallest landmark in all of Candyland, they crouched behind a large boulder near the entrance to Marshmallow Mountain. The only way in — a narrow path that led to a tall, solid iron gate — stood just 50 yards ahead. The smell of sweet marshmallow was so strong that Molly could taste it. Rivers of white, gooey marshmallow lava oozed from the top of the mountain, flowing ...

Molly and Jax get into a sticky situation

December 16, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. By the time they reached the edge of Gumdrop Cove, the air had changed. The scent of cocoa still clung faintly to Molly’s clothes, but here it mixed with something fruitier — citrus, spice and sugar so thick it almost made her teeth ache just to breathe. They crouched behind a tuft of sugargrass. Down below, thousands of gumdrops were scattered across the sand like seashells, glowing in every shade of the rainbow. ...

Molly, Jax visit Chocolate Forest

December 15, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. The smell of Chocolate Forest hit long before the sight did. Molly inhaled the intoxicating scents of rich chocolate and buttery caramel and a hint of cinnamon. Even the trees smelled amazing, with trunks of dark chocolate and sticky sap dripping down like hot fudge. They walked along a stream of hot cocoa that trickled between the trees, and Molly watched tiny marshmallow fish dart back and forth just below the ...