When Coco the mouse slips under a young spruce tree on his morning walk through the forest, he discovers a village of gingerbread houses and "Gingers" — gingerbread men and women brought to life by magic. But all is not well in Gingerbread Village. The Magic that built the village and protects it from outsiders seems to be fading, and the Gingers don't know how to revive it.

Can Coco find a way to help the Gingers? And even if he does, can they trust him enough to let him?

Anne L. Watson creates a magical tale of friendship offered, rebuffed, but finally rewarded.

For ages 4 to 9.

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Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the 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.

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SAMPLE

"But how did you come alive?" asked Coco in wonder.

"We don't really know," said Leo. "When Cassia and I woke up, we were in a batch of cookies cooling on a kitchen counter. But none of the others came alive."

"Somehow, we knew we were going to be eaten," said Cassia, "so we climbed down and ran away."

"We didn't know where to go," Leo went on, "but the Magic led us to this forest. Then just like you, we came in under the Tree — the door to Gingerbread Village."