Page 1

In the snowy town of Derry, where the trees grow so tall,
Mik was bouncing down the trail, “It’s the BEST time of all!”
“Cookies, lights, and Christmas cheer—I can’t wait to see!”
Nik laughed and said,
“Let’s hurry now; it’s almost time to light the great Christmas tree.”

Through the woods, they walked so fast, their breath a little white.
The Grand Pine Tree was far away, its branches frosty bright.
Mik’s scarf was flapping as he hopped, his eyes lit up with glee.
“Nik, do you think the cookies there will all be just for me?”

Nik shook his head and smiled at Mik, “You silly little bear.
The cookies are for everyone, for the people gather there!”
But Mik just giggled, full of joy, his paws clapping in delight.
“Pine trees, cookies, hot cocoa, Christmas lights—oh, what a perfect night!”

And so, they walked through snow and trees, their hearts so full of cheer.
The town was waiting just ahead, their favorite time of year.

Page 2

In Derry town, each Christmas, the people gather near,
To decorate the Grand Pine Tree and fill the air with cheer.
Handmade stars and ornaments, all glowing in the night,
Fill the square with laughter loud and twinkling golden light.

“This year’s tree will be the best!” Nik said with a happy grin.
Mik’s eyes grew wide with wonder as the fun was about to begin.
“Will there be maple cookies, Nik?” Mik asked with big, round eyes.
“I’m just a bear who loves a snack, and cookies sound so nice!”

Nik laughed and shook his head, “You’ll see what’s there to eat.
But first, we’ll help the town prepare to make the tree complete!”

Mik nodded with excitement, his scarf trailing as he ran,
“This will be the greatest tree—I’m its number one fan!”

Page 3

Mik and Nik reached the square, but something wasn’t right.
The Grand Pine Tree stood tall, but bare in the snowy night.
Boxes of ornaments were buried in drifts of snow,
And broken strings of twinkling lights hung sadly low.

“The storm ruined everything!” a townsperson cried with despair.
“No lights, no decorations—it’s so empty; so bare!”
Mik gasped and held his cheeks, his eyes wide with fright.
“No cookies? No lights? This isn’t right!”

Nik stood still and looked around, his brow furrowed in thought.
There had to be a way to fix this mess—there had to be a plot!
Mik paced and muttered, “This can’t be the end!
We need something special—something to mend!”

The square was quiet, the air cold and deep.
The tree waited patiently while the town made plans to leap.

Page 4

Mik jumped up and waved his paws, his eyes big and bright.
“I’ve got it, Nik! We can fix the tree tonight!”
Nik crossed his arms, tilting his head, “What’s your big plan, Mik?”
Mik grinned wide and said, “It’s magic! It’ll do the trick!”

“What about the Great Maple Tree, where our swing likes to sway?
Its sap can glow like golden light and brighten Christmas Day!”
Nik raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he heard.
“Mik, that’s just an old story—just a silly word.”

But Mik wasn’t listening; he was ready to believe.
“We just need to get the sap—it’s magic, you’ll see!”
With a leap and a bounce, Mik pointed to the woods.
“Let’s go save Christmas, Nik! I’m sure this plan is good!”

Nik sighed and followed, a smile developing on his face.
For Mik, even old stories could bring magic to this place.

Page 5

Through the snowy woods, Mik and Nik walked, their footprints trailing behind.
Mik led the way with a bounce in his step, a glowing plan in mind.
“We’re going to save Christmas! The sap will make it right!”
Nik followed close and said, “Let’s just hope it shines bright.”

The woods were quiet, the air cold and deep, with snowflakes falling slow.
But up ahead, a familiar tree began to softly glow.
“It’s the Great Maple Tree!” Mik cheered, his voice so full of glee.
“Our swing is there—it’s magic, Nik, just wait and you will see!”

The swing swayed gently in the breeze, its ropes covered in frost.
Nik smiled softly as he said, “I hope this works, or Christmas is lost.”
Mik grabbed his bucket and tapped the tree, “No worries, Nik, just trust me!”

Page 6

Mik held the tap in his paws and gave the tree a smile.
“Time to make some magic, Nik—it’ll just take a little while!”
Nik helped him steady the bucket as Mik tapped the tree with care.
Soon, golden sap began to flow, glowing in the frosty air.

“It’s working!” Mik exclaimed, his eyes wide and bright.
“This sap will make the pine tree glow—it’ll be a Christmas light!”
Nik watched the golden jar fill up, glowing like a star.
“Do you think this will save the tree?” he asked, standing near the jar.

Mik nodded, brimming with pride. “It HAS to work, you’ll see!
This sap is special, Nik—it’s the key to fixing the tree!”
With the jar now full of golden glow, Mik held it high with glee.
“Now let’s get back to town!” he cheered. “Christmas is waiting for you and me!”

Page 7

Back in the square, the air was cold, but hope was burning bright,
Nik held the jar of glowing sap, its golden, magic light.
“This will make the ornaments shine! Let’s bring this tree to life!”
Mik jumped onto a snowy box, his voice cutting through the strife.

“Dig up the ornaments, quick as you can! Let’s fill them with this glow,
Hang them high, light up the tree, and dazzle the falling snow!”
The townsfolk cheered, their hearts renewed, they shoveled and dug deep,
Uncovering ornaments buried in drifts, from the snow’s icy keep.

Mik dipped each ornament in the sap, his paws both swift and steady,
Then handed them back, now golden-bright, for hanging when they were ready.
Nik worked with the children, his smile warm, as they hung the glowing lights,
The tree began to shimmer and gleam, a beacon in the frosty night.

“Just a little more!” Mik cried aloud, as laughter filled the square,
The townsfolk sang in joyous tune, their love spreading everywhere.
With every ornament glowing bright, the Grand Pine Tree stood tall,
A masterpiece of golden light, bringing hope and joy to all.

Page 8

When the final glowing ornament was hung, the tree stood proud and tall,
But it needed more than golden light—it needed love from all.
Nik turned to Mik and softly said, “It’s time to sing with cheer.”
Mik nodded, grinning ear to ear, “Let’s bring the magic here!”

The townsfolk joined with joyful hearts, their voices rising high,
“O Christmas Tree” echoed loud beneath the starlit sky.
The ornaments began to glow, their light began to grow,
Fueled by love and togetherness, a warmth began to show.

The tree lit up from branch to branch, the sap reflecting bright,
Its golden glow a beacon now, a gift of hope and light.
The townsfolk clapped and hugged with joy, their hearts so full of glee,
For they had made the magic real, together, as a family.

Mik turned to Nik with happiness, “We did it—you were right!”
Nik smiled and said, “It wasn’t just the sap—it’s the love that made it light.”
The Grand Pine Tree stood shining bright, a treasure for all to see,
A memory built of song and cheer, their perfect Christmas tree.

Page 9

Mik and Nik sat on a snowy bench, the tree glowing bright behind.
Mik held two cookies in his paws, the happiest bear you’d find.
“This might be better than pancakes!” Mik said with a grin so wide.
Nik laughed and shook his head, “You’ve still got crumbs on your side.”

The townsfolk sang their final song, their voices warm and clear.
The Grand Pine Tree shone golden bright, a treasure for all to cheer.
Mik looked at Nik and said, “This was the BEST Christmas yet!”
Nik smiled back and said, “Mik, it’s one we won’t forget.”

Together they sat, the best of friends, as Christmas joy filled the air.
With cookies, hot chocolate, songs, and golden lights, no moment could compare.

About

A very Derry Christmas

Writing stories for my children has always been one of my most cherished memories. Every night, we would gather at the little landing at the top of the hallway, where their rooms branched off like arms of an embrace. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I would share a new tale—sometimes one I’d written, other times one I made up on the spot. I loved seeing their faces light up with wonder as they imagined themselves in the stories, their imaginations running wild. Some of those stories have stayed with us, etched into our hearts, while others were fleeting moments of magic that disappeared with the night.

When I started writing A Very Derry Bear Christmas, I approached it as though I were crafting another one of those bedtime stories—something cozy, magical, and perfect for Christmas. I imagined Mik and Nik as the kind of characters my children would love: a mischievous little bear and his thoughtful best friend, finding adventure and meaning in the simple joys of their world. The story was inspired by the true spirit of community I’ve come to know here in Derry, and I wanted to weave that into the book in a way that children and families could connect with.

The idea for this story actually came from a social media post that reminded me how the town worked together to create the Very Derry Christmas Tree lighting. It was such a heartfelt example of what makes this community special—people coming together with shared purpose and love. That moment planted the seed for this story. I thought, “What if Mik had the idea to save Christmas for the town, but he couldn’t do it alone? What if the magic of the story was in showing how even the best ideas need a community to make them come to life?”

At its heart, this book is a reflection of the values that make Derry such a wonderful place: togetherness, creativity, and the belief that when we come together, we can make something truly magical. Just like the tree lighting in real life, the story shows that the brightest lights come from the warmth of love and community. It’s a story I hope families will share, not just for the holiday season, but as a reminder that when we all pitch in, we can create moments of beauty that last a lifetime.