On Christmas Eve

<p>It's Christmas Eve and Coco the mouse stands beneath a tall fir tree in the forest. On this night he tells himself the forest needs a star for the tree top. If he climbs the tree he can reach up and fetch one from the sky! But it's a long climb for a little mouse and along the way he's sure to meet other forest creatures who help or hinder him. </p><p> </p><p>Anne L. Watson offers a magical fable of hope determination the kindness of strangers and the wonder of Creation.</p><p> </p><p>For ages 3 to 9.</p><p> </p><p>/////////////////////////////////////////////////</p><p> </p><p>Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Coco Mouse and Katie Mouse books as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages made from photos of felted animals miniatures and real-life objects along with graphic arts creations and textures from Etsy and elsewhere all assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. </p><p> </p><p>/////////////////////////////////////////////////</p><p> </p><p>SAMPLE</p><p> </p><p>With a dizzying swoop the bird flew all the way to the top of the tree and landed on the highest branch. </p><p> </p><p>Coco climbed off. Now he could reach up and fetch a star! But when he looked up the stars were still far above. </p><p> </p><p>The owl was right he said sadly. </p><p> </p><p>And then the bird burst into the most beautiful song Coco had ever heard.</p><p> </p><p>I didn't know a little gray bird could sing like that Coco said.</p><p> </p><p>I'm a mockingbird she said and we learn the songs of other birds. A long time ago I heard a nightingale. That was his song.</p><p> </p><p>I am only a mouse said Coco. But you heard a nightingale and I heard you. He stretched out his paws and with a nightingale's long-ago song he sang to the stars. </p><p> </p><p><br></p>