Book excerpt: Squirrel has been hanging on an animal puppet tree in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport gift shop for over a year. He wishes someone would buy him, play with him, and give him a proper name so he could experience a world that only exists in his dreams. When ten-year-old Travis chooses the squirrel puppet to travel with him to visit his grandmother in Indianapolis for the Christmas holidays, Squirrel’s wish not only comes true, but also starts a series of adventures for both boy and squirrel. Together, they discover Riverwood Hollow and its many secrets: a river lined with towering trees, charming wildlife, a woman with purple running shoes, a magic mailbox, and a shiny fork in the road. While exploring this enchanted nature sanctuary, both Travis and Squirrel learn that a dream can be a real world where the spirit of play and imagination have more power than they ever realized. In this charming tale, a ten-year-old boy and his squirrel puppet companion discover a magical dream world where families are reunited and love blesses a new home.