Nancy Hernstrom

Calliope Chipmunk’s Merriest Christmas is another allegory in the Harmony Tails series. Miss Calliope is the oldest resident in Harmony. She is cared for by the members of the community. This story begins on the day after Thanksgiving. The residents of Harmony prepare for Christmas by baking, shopping, decorating, attending parties, giving concerts, and plays, but most importantly attending church. Children and adults alike are swept up in the excitement of the Holiday. The weather turns unusually cold. There is such a heavy snow fall almost no one can attend church on Christmas Eve. The families celebrate at home with their loved ones. Out on the far side of town, a young couple of Field Mice, Sam and Petra, are stranded in a very deep snow drift. They come to the door of Miss Calliope’s little white house for refuge from the worst snow storm in Harmony’s history. They are rescued by the oldest member of the community, Miss Calliope Chipmunk. The Field mice give Miss Calliope the merriest Christmas of her life. In the end, all the residents of Harmony find the blessings of Christmas in the love they show one another.