Michelle Houts

This is a fascinating story based in Danish folklore. Bettina, a twelve-year-old girl, is trusted to care for her baby sister, the house, and the barn and its animals, while her parents are away on an urgent family matter. They were in such a hurry to leave on that Christmas Eve that they forgot the time-old tradition of leaving out a bowl of rice pudding for the nisse (pronounced nee se) that lives in their barn and helps care for their livestock. The nisse are tiny mythical gnomes that only Bettina's grandfather had still believed in, but the family carried on the tradition - except for this time. When the nisse found no rice pudding, he got into a pout and did mischievous things instead of the helpful things he always did. When Bettina's baby sister disappears from her pram, Bettina discovers the nisse are real and had been unintentionally wronged, she is determined to get her sister back before her parents' soon return! When she finds herself involved in something she hadn't even been sure of before, it means she has to do some things that would never seem possible.
Great story!

… (lisätietoja)

First sentence: A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, smiling. Like most of us, he didn't remember the very beginning of his days. He only knew he was created with loving hands. Carefully crafted. Wonderfully made. He did remember the first time she placed him on his perch. She set him up straight, stood back, and smiled. Hopefully, the scarecrow will keep the birds away," she'd said. He hadn't known his name was Hopefully. But he liked it.

Premise/plot: Hopefully (the scarecrow) has a great life--for the most part. It is made better by the stories he hears every day. But the 'little' girl who is his faithful friend and companion doesn't stay 'little' forever. She grows up...and life changes....but can Hopefully still find his place in the world?

My thoughts: This one is lovely, sweet, and enjoyable. I love a good fall-themed story, especially if it is NOT Halloween themed. This one celebrates STORIES and friendship as well. I absolutely love the ending of this one. Definitely recommended.… (lisätietoja)