Children do a good deed for neighbor

December 18, 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Chapter 5 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. Anna couldn’t stop thinking about what they’d seen. It made her sad to see Mrs. Campbell so upset, especially since she was always so cheerful when they saw each other. “Tyler,” she said as they left The Book Secret, “we need to do something for Mrs. Campbell. You heard what Mr. Hinkly said — we saw the door because we’re meant to help!” Tyler slowly nodded. “Yeah. You’re right. It’s just hard to believe that actually happened. ...

Stepping through door to suprises

December 16, 2022

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 3 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. “Hey,” Tyler called, the box of mugs forgotten as he stood next to Anna, watching the door slowly open all by itself. “Is someone in there?” Silence answered from inside the door, and Anna frowned as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. She could see people moving beyond the door, in a room that looked like a cozy living room. It didn’t make any sense for a room like that to be back here. “What are you doing?” Tyler held her ...

Mysterious door attracts curiosity

December 15, 2022

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 2 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. “That reminds me, Ty,” Anna said as she led them to their favorite table next to the small electric fireplace against the wall. “My dad said to tell you if you want to help him with a few deliveries tomorrow morning, he’ll pay you. With the snow coming, he wants to try to get them done early.” Anna could easily do the deliveries herself, but she knew Tyler really enjoyed helping. He liked being able to earn a bit of money to help out his mom ...

Snowfall brings magic of Christmas

December 14, 2022

Editor’s note: This is Chapter 1 of a 12-part fictional Christmas tale. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. The day that changed Anna’s life forever began at her favorite place: The Book Secret. It was the first day of Christmas vacation, and she was eager to find a few more books to put on her Christmas list. As always, the first thing she did when she stepped into the small bookstore with the even smaller bakery was let her nose carry her toward the delicious scents of freshly baked snickerdoodles and peppermint cocoa. “Hi, Anna!” The store’s ...

Magical ornaments hold tales of campers past

December 24, 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part 11 of a continuing, fictional holiday tale that is running daily through Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read along with their children. Their last day at Camp Secret Santa was filled to the brim with activities. Olivia had finally gotten her chance to help at the Post Office, and it was every bit as magical and amazing as her friends said. After lunch, she’d been able to spend a bit more time with the reindeer and was pleased to see Chip nailing his every landing. They all got their biggest surprise during a scavenger hunt that took them all ...

Girls get visit from their parents at camp

December 22, 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part nine of a continuing, fictional holiday tale that is running daily through Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read along with their children. “I think this floor is as clean as it’s gonna get,” Gia said, leaning against her broom. Chewbacca was sitting patiently by the registers, obediently waiting where Olivia told him to stay so he wouldn’t run through their piles of dirt. “I think you’re right. Why don’t we head back to — ” The outside door to the store jingled its bells as someone opened it to come inside. “Mom!” Olivia ...