FREE 19-20 November
Lionel's Christmas Adventure:
Lionel Learns the True Meaning of Christmas
Lionel Learns the True Meaning of Christmas
by Paul R. Hewlett
Looking for a Christmas present for your 6-10 year old? Look no further than Lionel's Christmas Adventure. It's FREE 19-20 November. While you're at it, why not buy the whole series? Also available: Lionel and the Golden Rule (read my blog post).
Description
Have you ever wanted something you couldn't have? Meet Lionel, a lovable bully-magnet who desperately wants a new sled and will do anything to get it. This fun Christmas book follows Lionel from Larrystown to the North Pole. His magical Three-Toed-Potbellied Walbaun foot is back and is as unpredictable as ever. Whether Lionel's sledding, ice skating, or in a life-sized gingerbread village, it takes him on some grand adventures. Filled with great Christmas imagery, this book is perfect for young readers and family story time. These holidays, be careful what you wish for, you never know what might happen!
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Christmas break had arrived and Lionel Snodgrass headed to pick up his best buddy Skip to head for “The Hills.” The snowflakes, large and wet, fell straight down from the sky. The sidewalks were covered with snow, and it looked like everything in Larrystown would be too if this kept up. People said they hadn't seen this much snow in over ten years.
“Ahh-choo!” Lionel sneezed, and his stocking cap almost flew off of his head.
He stopped, pushed his glasses up and wiped his nose with his mitten. He tried unsuccessfully for a few minutes to catch a snowflake on his tongue before he gave up and continued on, enjoying the sights. The houses were much different—and better—than the Snodgrass’s two story home, which had no Christmas decorations at all.
Wreaths decorated with little gold bells hung from the street lights. Every home had lights blinking and trees in the window as townsfolk prepared for Santa to come. Mailboxes overflowed with letters making sure that he knew about that last minute gift idea. Snowmen and plastic reindeer decorated lawns. Music played from somewhere as Lionel thought about what he wanted for Christmas.
He had asked his mom for a Turbo 5000 sled for Christmas. He really wanted one. In fact, he wanted one so bad that he had brought the idea up to his mom again this morning. He felt pretty sure that he wouldn't get one though—not unless a miracle happened. After he brought it up to his mom, she had laughed so hard that his big brother Feeney ran downstairs to see what was so funny. When Feeney joined in the laughter, Lionel turned around and got ready to go to Skip’s. His mom and Feeney were still laughing when he headed out the door.
Now he tugged his mitten off and slipped his hand into his pants pocket. His chubby fingers gripped the furry object in there. He squeezed his Three-Toed-Potbellied Walbaun foot.
It was a good luck charm, much like a lucky rabbit’s foot. In fact, Lionel thought it looked a lot like a lucky rabbit’s foot. But it only came to him because he needed its protection. Although it was very magical, it was also unpredictable. Lionel had learned the hard way that the Three-Toed-Potbellied Walbaun had been lazy and failed to master its magic.
It had a way of granting his wishes, just in its own weird way. It had taken him on quite a few adventures over the last few years, none of which were all that pleasant. But it had also scared Feeney out of giving him atomic wedgies. He thought about using his Walbaun foot to wish for a Turbo 5000.
“Hi, Lionel.”
Lionel about jumped out of his boots. He spun around to see who had crept up behind him. Coming face to face with Carrie, he stared at her. She stood there, cheeks rosy from the cold and her dark brown eyes watching him. She was beautiful. He felt like he could look in those eyes forever. He smiled.
“Lionel? Are you okay?” asked Carrie.
That snapped Lionel out his trance. He almost forgot to talk to her. “H-h-hi,” he said.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I'm going to get Skip so we can go to The Hills.”
Carrie blinked and looked down at her boots. Her hands in their pink mittens were clasped in front of her. One pink boot pushed snow in front of her from side to side. Lionel stood there like a statue, unable to talk. Time seemed to drag on forever.
After what felt like several minutes, Carrie spoke up. “Well, I better get going. I'm going to my Aunt's to get some cinnamon for my Mom. She's baking and really needs it, so maybe I'll see you later. Have fun at The Hills.” She smiled, then turned her head and walked past Lionel.
Again he couldn't find his voice. He stared after her. His arms hung at his sides, one hand inside his mitten, the other bare. He watched her disappear from sight.
Ah, man, not again! Why can't I ever talk to her?!?
He continued on, dragging his feet, making a path through the snow as he thought about Carrie. He had a terrible crush on her— and had since the day he had moved to Larrystown almost two years ago. He hadn't been able to impress her yet though, and today wasn't going to help. He smiled as he thought of her dark brown eyes—until the picture of his mom and Feeney laughing hysterically filled his head again. He forced the image from his mind.
I’m gonna get a sled! I’m just not sure how yet.
He looked up and found himself at the front door of Skip’s one story home. He pushed up his glasses, then raised his arm to knock.
Book Video
Review
By Billi Tiner
Lionel's Christmas Adventure is a charming story that follows Lionel Snodgrass, a 12-year old boy, as he is given a gentle reminder about the true meaning of Christmas. Author, Paul R. Hewlett, uses humor to deliver an important message. The story flows along very quickly and will provide an entertaining Christmas story for young readers to enjoy.
About the Author
Paul R. Hewlett writes books for children. His first book was Lionel's Grand Adventure: Lionel and the Golden Rule. It is an early chapter book for ages 6-10. It is the first book in the Lionel's Grand Adventure series.
Paul is a US Air Force vet who is married and has a "senior" dog named Joe that he and his wife adopted from the local rescue facility. His aim is to increase and foster children's interest in reading by combining entertainment and values.
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