The book tells of the busy pre-New Year days of Ded Moroz as he prepares the Christmas tree and gifts. He is helped by Aunt Winter, the Snow Maiden, the funny boy Egor-Naperekor, and the little New Year baby.
The story is almost a detective novel: there are self-propelling sleds, the complicated quest for a beautiful tree, a chase, the villain Nightingale the Robber who plots mischief but receives his just desserts, the magical transformation of Ded Moroz into Ivan Tsarevich (and back) with the help of cauldrons of young and old water, and a lively celebration at the palace.
The tale concludes with a remarkably humane act by Ded Moroz, who, as it turns out, was concerned about forest conservation as far back as 1958. He returns the tree to its original spot, freezes it back onto its stump, and the tree continues to grow as if nothing had happened, remembering from time to time the celebration and its magnificent holiday attire.
Author: Yakov Tayts
Illustrations: Alisa Poret
Pages: 32 (coated paper). Paperback
Dimensions: 280×215 mm
