MR. WILLOWBY'S HEAD OVER HEELS CHRISTMAS

A beloved Yuletide story gets an unexpected sequel, replete with hijinks.

Recently discovered in an overstuffed file cabinet by Barry’s son, this follow-up to Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree (1963) has finally found its way to publication, decades after its creation. Plagued once more by Christmas tree woes, Mr. Willowby, a mustachioed, white-presenting elder, is pacing his stately manor. Whereas in the previous book, his tree was too tall, now it looks like he won’t have one at all! The delivery van is stuck in the snow, leaving the kindly old man bereft. Along comes Barnaby Bear, who, upon seeing his friend’s plight, finds an ideal tree on a hill high above and makes the unfortunate decision to ride the conifer down to the house. Turns out, steering a tree is an impossibility, and the next thing you know, Frisky Fox, Dusty Duck, Benjamin Rabbit, and Mistletoe Mouse are along for the ride. A crash-landing through Mr. Willowby’s front door and a special cameo appearance from Santa all make this the happiest holiday on record. Readers young and old needn’t have any familiarity with Mr. Willowby’s earlier Christmastide adventure to appreciate the wild antics. Barry’s tale hasn’t aged a day; its rhymes remain intact and scan with alacrity, while the fun and frolicsome art taps into the cartoonish nature of the shenanigans.

Ho ho ho and a merry publication to an old classic newly found.