Tiny was lost in her story when she heard the rat-a-tat-tat. It wasn’t coming from the window, or the door. She jumped down from the library bookshelf to investigate. The sound was coming from the Half-Broken Toys Box. Tiny ran across the rug and clambered up the alphabet blocks to peer inside. A ballerina doll … Read More
The Stars For You Penny-dog looked to the ground and let out her heaviest sigh. “What’s wrong?” Tiny asked, placing one tender hand over her paw. “A new batch of puppies has arrived at THUMP*. They’re lonely and scared and won’t stop crying.” Tiny gasped. “That’s terrible! Let’s try and cheer them up.” But when … Read More
Tiny sat in the bustling café with a winter-spice muffin and a capful of steaming nut broth. Friends and neighbors crowded the tables, but despite the noise and good cheer she felt like she was the only person in the room. Her heart-bird let out a lonely sigh. It was in that moment that she … Read More
Her attention was stolen by a flash overhead. Tiny dropped the ball and ran across the Village Green, eyes scanning the sky for the glow she’d just seen. “What do you think that was, Penny-dog?” Tiny said to her best friend. “Lightning, a plane, or a UFO?”“Maybe it was Mother-the-Sun’s smile?” thought Penny-dog.“Perhaps,” said Tiny … Read More
Tiny peeked through the bedroom curtains. Mother-the-Sun was nowhere in sight. The morning sky was thin and wrinkled, and a grey veil of mist hung over Treetops.‘Perhaps I should go back to bed,’ Tiny thought with a sigh. On days like these, the world felt too large and out of reach. Penny-dog had lost her … Read More
Tiny and Constance Goldfinch stared at the branches strewn across Orange Blossom Lane. It appeared as though a mini tornado had swept through the village of Treetops. But as they looked up into Old Man Guthrie’s favorite tree, they noticed it wasn’t a tornado, or even a storm—it was squirrels! They tore through leaves and … Read More
Tiny sat on the beach beside her best friend, allowing the warm glittery sand to slide between her fingers. The ocean was a blanket of blue silk and bright sparkles—breathtaking in its beauty, and mesmerizing in its power. Penny-dog gazed out too, and her golden eyes watered in the fresh briny air. Tiny’s heart was … Read More
Tiny sat atop the dining-table in Esperanza’s kitchen, her legs stretched out in a V. She absently stroked the smooth wooden surface, watching her elderly neighbor prepare a pot of hot cocoa.“Mmmm. Feels good,” rumbled a voice.Tiny looked around. The sound seemed to be coming from beneath her.“Yoohoo,” said a slow deep voice which sounded … Read More
Tiny and Penny-dog waved to Mother-the-Moon as she floated high into the coal-black sky, sending streaks of silvery light across the night ceiling.“Let’s go for a midnight stroll,” said Tiny, “we can visit Mother-the-Moon!”Penny-dog gave a twirl; she was always ready for a walk. But as Tiny and Penny-dog turned onto Orange Blossom Lane, they … Read More
Tiny was stringing another flower into her daisy chain when she spotted Woodmint barreling through the garden, furry arms shaking, and gasping for breath.“What’s wrong?” Tiny asked, jumping to her feet.“The fountain,” panted the badger, “in the Village Green. It’s flowing. One minute it was quiet, the next it was dancing! Come on Tiny, let’s … Read More
It was barely after dawn when Tiny stepped outside to say good morning to the world. The sun yawned, the earth dozed, and the trees stretched themselves awake. Through the stillness, a ribbon of sound spiraled through the air, and kissed Tiny on the ear. It was music—not the joyful twitters of the neighborhood birds, … Read More
Penny-dog’s birthday was just around the corner, and the Village Hall was buzzing with activity. Tiny watched from the door and gave a silent cheer—the brightly-colored bunting, balloons, and polka-dot tablecloths were so festive, Penny-dog was going to love the surprise party the villagers had planned. Tiny zipped her mouth shut to stop the secret … Read More
Tiny sat on the bank of Silent Creek, enjoying the cool tickle of water between her toes. The sky was a clear summertime blue, and Mother-the-Sun was beaming. Tiny closed her eyes ready to float away on a daydream, when she was pulled back with a jolt by Constance Goldfinch flapping excitedly beside her. “It’s … Read More
Tiny nestled in her cozy dawn dream, enjoying Mother-the-Sun’s warm caress on her cheek. She opened one eye and stared at the calendar. It said, “Good morning, Tiny! Time to meet Woodmint!”“Woodmint! At last,” she cried, and hopped out of bed, ran down the stairs, and leapt into the bright new morning. The air was … Read More
Tiny stood beneath the butterfly-bush and closed her eyes to savor the stillness of the morning. It wrapped around her shoulders like a gossamer shawl. A shrill cheep soon pierced through the silence. Tiny looked around her—it was coming from the ivy that clambered across the walls of Willow Tree Cottage. Peering into the tangle … Read More
Tiny stood at the rain-streaked window, gazed into the angry dark clouds, and let out her heaviest sigh. She had waited all week for this special day—an adventure with Penny-dog, a backpack full of snacks, and the freedom of a day spent outdoors. She stared at the sorrowful sky, hoping it would change. It didn’t. … Read More
Tiny stared at the postcard which had arrived in the morning post. It read, “I’m here in Bearkin Bay. Please come soon! We need you! Love, Dana-bear.” A frown wriggled across Tiny’s forehead. If Dana-bear was in trouble, she’d have to leave right away. Tiny looked at the map. Bearkin Bay hugged the beautiful Peace … Read More
Tiny closed her eyes, stepped onto the ladder, and climbed through the clouds into her house of sweet dreams. In recent nights, she had found herself wandering through long and winding hallways, drifting by closed doors that lead to unknown spaces. Tiny was drawn to a door that emanated a ghostly green light. She hesitated … Read More
Tiny hopped out of bed and flung open the curtains. An arc of mini rainbow clouds hovered in the pale morning sky, as though a flying carnival train had chugged across the horizon. Tiny’s thoughts began to dance—rainbows were one of her favourite things. They were so loving, so beautiful, so generous with their joy. … Read More
The little bird in Tiny’s heart had been asleep for days. Tiny pursed her lips and frowned, trying to remember the reason why. Sometime when her heart-bird wept and curled up into a ball to sleep, it was because the corners of Miss Rose’s mouth drooped, or Woodmint was anxious about his winter wood-pile. But … Read More