Home for the Holidays: A Chipping Cheddar Christmas by Katharine Holabird

IT WAS CHRISTMASTIME IN CHIPPING CHEDDAR, AND ANGELINA BALLERINA WAS VERY EXCITED.

ANGELINA PEERED THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF MRS. THIMBLE'S STORE.

"PERFECT GIFTS FOR MOTHER, FATHER, OR POLLY!"

But when she inquires about the price of the glorious Christmas tree ornaments, Angelina realizes that she doesn't have that kind of money. But Mrs. Thimble has an idea. She has a friend, Mrs. Tippytoe, who is in need of some help getting ready for the holiday. Angelina hurries over to apply.

The two hit it off immediately, Mrs. Tippytoe was once a prima ballerina at the Royal Ballet, and there is much ballet talk between them as Angelina helps put up decorations, wraps presents, and helps Mrs. T. make Christmas cookies.  Angelina has a wonderful day with her new friend.

"HERE'S THE MONEY YOU EARNED," SAYS MRS. TIPPYTOE.

"OH, NO! I'VE HAD SO MUCH FUN! THAT'S MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO YOU" ANGELINA SAYS. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

But on Christmas morning, Angelina Ballerina experiences a bit of altruistic remorse.  She is feeling sorry that now she has no gifts for her family.   But then the doorbell rings, and she finds a gift on the doorstep. What could it be and who could have left it?

It looks like Mrs. Tippytoe and Mrs. Thimble have put their heads together to play Santa's elves, in Katharine Holabird's A Chipping Cheddar Christmas (Angelina Ballerina) (Grossett and Dunlap, 2014). It's a appropriately heartwarming Christmas story, and Helen Craig's quaint English village of Chipping Cheddar is a charming setting for a story in which a good deed does not go unrewarded. This inexpensive paperback offers Angelina fans and sweet holiday story with seventeen ballet-themed and kid-pleasing Christmas stickers inside.