Footprints in the Snow

by Maggie Holman

Ten-year-old Jamie goes to spend the Christmas holidays with his grandfather - his Grancher Pete - in the beautiful and atmospheric Forest of Dean. Grancher Pete has a new hobby, collecting evidence of an elusive black panther which supposedly lives deep in the forest, and he takes Jamie with him to search for clues. He also introduces Jamie to three traveller children, Caro, Finn and Molly. The children show Jamie their huge forest playground and he is intrigued by their alternative outlook on life, which includes talking to animals in a strange language. Jamie's holiday becomes more exciting when a heavy snowfall covers the landscape and he sets off in search of his new friends. While he thought he knew the forest well, the landscape looks completely different and he becomes lost among the trees. To top it all, Jamie unwittingly puts himself in terrible danger and no-one knows where he is. Who will be able to save him? And how? Children and adults alike will be drawn into Jamie's holiday adventure. Join him in discovering that there are special moments in our lives, when 'unreality' steps into our everyday world to lend us a helping hand.

Genres: Christmas

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2012

About the author

Maggie Holman writes speculative fiction for all ages. Her love of the fantastical stems from early childhood, when she would often withdraw into imaginary worlds. In her writing, she loves to explore the possibilities that lie outside and alongside the real world.

Four of her books - 'The Wishing Sisters & Other Forest Tales' (2008), the children's story 'Footprints in the Snow' (2011), 'The Knocking (2017) and 'Save the White Stag' (2021) - were all inspired by the fifteen years she spent in the beautiful and atmospheric Forest of Dean. 'The Things We've Seen' (2021) marked a departure from this Forest-based fiction.

Although born in the UK, Maggie has lived in Europe since 2009, where she can explore her second passion, travelling on motorbike road trips with her husband.

Find Maggie at:
www.twitter.com/runjumpjive
and
www.facebook.com/maggieholmanwriter

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, charming story! A winter / holiday adventure with wonderful, real and vibrant characters, and a perfect little dash of magic

[Pam Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a lovely story. You truly are dropped into a magical world where you enjoy imaginative and compelling adventures. It went beyond my expectation as it warmed my heart and gave me a few subtle lessons to discuss as well. I loved sharing with the young children in our family and their friends. A good read.

[Elizabeth de Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet, magical book! I was swept away into the Forest of the Dean with Jamie and his Grancher Pete and couldn't put it down! The story is so captivating and I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the supernatural world of the forest as Jamie was experiencing it. I'm looking forward to sharing the book with my students.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The charming story of Jamie, a young boy grieving his father's death, as he stays with his grandfather. He makes new friends and explores the forest of Dean. When he faces danger in the forest his father's spirit and one of his new friends save him.

[Joan]

I loved this little book . It is an adorable story where Jamie gets to spend time with his Grandfather , getting to know each other. This book is a great one for your own grandchildren to read . I will be reading it again and again to my little ones . It's a great story .

[KIM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational Christmas read. The story was a quick pick me up in hectic holiday season. Able to read in one sitting.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating novella with an unexpected ending.

[Prognya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Loved reading it to my five year old. Though it was a bit above her level , yet she enjoyed all the same. Wish Maggie Holman to write more stories like this.

[Anna Woroniecka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book to my children (7 and 9years old) and we all love it!
The story of a boy spending Christmas at his grandfather's house in the woods is very interesting and magical! Life and winter in the forest look completely different than in the city. I know this from my own childhood and I am happy that my children could hear this story and imagined it. Maggie Holman writes in such a way that you can imagine all these places and situations as if you were there too. And this is the opinion of my children too! There is also a side of this story that may help some children (those who lost one of their parents), but I don't want to spoil reading, so I will not write anything more. I will only add that the end of the book made my children so happy that they jumped to the ceiling;)
We are waiting for a new book of Maggie Holman now!

[Shelley Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Footprints in the Snow is a heart warming children’s story that will appeal to young and old alike. Jamie lost his father and had been slowly coming to terms with his grief. His mother drops him off at a remote location to stay with his grandfather, who he affectionately calls Grancher Pete while she goes on a trip. Holman recreates the setting of the Forest of Dean with beautiful clarity, leaving us with a clear picture of this hauntingly stunning landscape.

During his stay with Grancher Pete, Jamie makes new friends with three traveller children, Caro, Finn, and Molly. I like Caro; she has a cheeky sense of fun and a calming way with the forest animals, and she pushed Jamie to explore his abilities.

Although the underlying theme is family bereavement, Holman deals with this delicately and doesn’t let it overshadow the story of friendship and independence. Jamie grows during his brief stay with Grancher Pete and learns how to laugh once more.

[tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book it is amazing and I love how you wrote it. It is an excellent story juf Maggie