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Annual Christmas story

An old friend helps Molly and Jax in their quest

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sixth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. When Molly and Jax arrived at the base of the tallest landmark in all of Candyland, they crouched behind a large boulder near the entrance to Marshmallow Mountain. The only way in — a narrow path that led to a tall, solid iron gate — stood just 50 yards ahead. The smell of sweet marshmallow was so strong that Molly could taste it. Rivers of white, gooey marshmallow lava oozed from the top of the mountain, flowing ...

Molly and Jax get into a sticky situation

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. By the time they reached the edge of Gumdrop Cove, the air had changed. The scent of cocoa still clung faintly to Molly’s clothes, but here it mixed with something fruitier — citrus, spice and sugar so thick it almost made her teeth ache just to breathe. They crouched behind a tuft of sugargrass. Down below, thousands of gumdrops were scattered across the sand like seashells, glowing in every shade of the rainbow. ...

Molly and Jax visit Chocolate Forest

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. The smell of Chocolate Forest hit long before the sight did. Molly inhaled the intoxicating scents of rich chocolate and buttery caramel and a hint of cinnamon. Even the trees smelled amazing, with trunks of dark chocolate and sticky sap dripping down like hot fudge. They walked along a stream of hot cocoa that trickled between the trees, and Molly watched tiny marshmallow fish dart back and forth just below the ...

Molly makes a friend from Peppermint Valley

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Molly jumped high, and looked from him to the woods in front of her and back to him again. How did he circle around her without her noticing? She needed to be paying more attention and daydreaming less. “I just … I saw you walking. I’m from Gingerbread Island,” she added quickly. “Obviously,” he answered with an eyeroll. “You smell like someone knocked over a spice rack. But why are you following ...

Molly takes a chance to leave Gingerbread Island

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. “It’s settled then,” Mayor Gingerman said. “We will move forward with Operation Ginger Quest! Numbers may have dipped last year, but we will not let that happen again! We will prevail and return to the top and show those Chocolate menaces we’re the best! For the next week, you may submit your ideas to the ballot box in Town Hall. This Christmas, the humans of the world will be filled with joy over the ...

Big dreams need more than gingerbread

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Far, far away on Gingerbread Island, where all the Christmas gingerbread in the world was made, the Gingerpeople were hard at work. With Christmas drawing near, gingerbread goodies were constantly being shipped across the world so people everywhere could enjoy delicious treats during the holiday season. Gingerbread Island wasn’t the only place working day and night. Peppermint Valley, Chocolate Forest, Gumdrop Cove, ...