Tiptoes Lightly lives in an acorn high up in the branches of a great oak tree. The Festival of Stones follows her adventures, and those of her friends, through the festivals of Michaelmas, Halloween, Martinmas, Advent and Christmas. At Michaelmas a real dragon appears, as does St. Michael, and Farmer John tells the story of 'The Most Beautiful Dragon in the Whole World' to his children.
Other tales are told too. An angel tells the story of 'Martin's Light' at Martinmas, at the Festival of Animals Tiptoes recounts how the animals were sung into the world in 'The Myth of Ella-jah', and Farmer John reads 'The Burden Bull of Scotland' to his children on Christmas day. On the way Jeremy Mouse has a frightening encounter at Halloween (with a you-know-what-kind of vegetable!) and almost drowns while sliding on ice (luckily he is saved by Mr. Owl the Vegetarian).
At the farm, the children meet the Borodat who lives in the barn, and on Christmas night June Berry dreams of her mother who has passed over the threshold. In the last chapter the world's first snow-mouse is made by Jeremy Mouse - helped by Tiptoes and the house fairies, Pins and Needles.
The Festival of Stones is lavishly illustrated by the artist-author. The stories are reverent, humorous, sanguine and spiritual. They are innocent and magical tales, suitable for reading to young children or for young children to read.
About the Author: Reg Down grew up in Canada, Namibia, South Africa and Ireland. He trained as a eurythmist, an art of movement and gesture, in England and Germany. The father of three, he has taught eurythmy in Waldorf schools in Australia, Canada and the United States. Many of his children's books, including this title, arose out of his work with kindergarten and the younger grades. He is also the author of Leaving Room for the Angels, AWSNA Publications, a book on eurythmy and artistic pedagogy, and Color and Gesture-the Inner Life of Color, Lightly Press. He lives in Sacramento, California.
