--- title: The Curious Christmas Trail description: Lisa M. Hendey reviews Haley Stewart's new children's book, perfect for a Christmastime family read-aloud. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20221130%20LHendey%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-curious-christmas-trail#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # The Curious Christmas Trail Nov 30, 2022 1:00:00 PM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20221130%20LHendey%201.png) *Lisa M. Hendey reviews Haley Stewart's new children's book, perfect for a Christmastime family read-aloud.* --- With [The Curious Christmas Trail](https://amzn.to/3AJE58m), gifted author Haley Stewart continues her adorable [Sister Seraphina Mysteries series](https://amzn.to/3OxbtVE). Set on Christmas Eve and filled with the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, this story involves two young mice coming to the rescue to solve the mystery of the whereabouts of the wandering older Sister Dymphna. The storytelling is fun here and the mystery is just provocative enough to keep us turning the pages but never too scary for young readers.   ![Curious Christmas Trail cover](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Curious%20Christmas%20Trail%20cover.jpg?width=410&height=500&name=Curious%20Christmas%20Trail%20cover.jpg) I love two aspects of this book the most. First, there is a strong theme of vocational calling here. One touching scene occurs between Sister Dymphna and little Goldie, a mouse who has been assigned to portray “just an angel” in her school’s annual Christmas play when she really wants a starring role as Mary. Sister wisely and lovingly counsels her, > “Sometimes, we’re in the background and sometimes we’re in the spotlight. But what matters most is that we do the part God has asked of us with our whole heart.”   Second, and even more important, is the tenderness shown toward elderly Sister Dymphna, whose aging has brought troubling signs of wandering and forgetfulness. Her fellow sisters involve the younger mice in finding and helping the elderly sister in a way that offers Sister Dymphna dignity and compassion, never making fun of her. The children are delighted in being a part of an elder’s care. Isn’t this a wonderful message?! Coupled with Haley’s lovely prose are illustrations by Betsy Wallin that truly bring the mice characters and their home (tucked beneath the floorboards of G.K. Chesterton’s house) to life. As a bonus, the book offers instructions for making paper snowflakes, a perfect script for a short Christmas play, and a brief bio of G.K. Chesterton. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! [The Curious Christmas Trail](https://amzn.to/3AJE58m) is an instant Christmas classic, but also a gift that will keep on giving all year long. Find The Curious Christmas Trail at [Pauline Kids](https://paulinestore.com/the-curious-christmas-trail-qs1008399-200695.html), [Amazon](https://amzn.to/3AJE58m) or your local retailer. A question for you: What are your favorite Christmas storybooks?   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20221130%20LHendey%20IG.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20221130%20LHendey%20IG.png) --- Copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey Images: Canva This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way.  ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-curious-christmas-trail%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-curious-christmas-trail%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-curious-christmas-trail%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Curious%20Christmas%20Trail) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-curious-christmas-trail%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-curious-christmas-trail%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Three Minutes with Haley Stewart Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/three-minutes-with-haley-stewart) [ Chime Travelers Series Recognized Among Best Catholic Books for 2016 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/06/20/chime-travelers-series-recognized-among-best-catholic-books-2016) [ New Children's Book Shines Light on Life and Heart of St. Junípero Serra Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/11/09/new-childrens-book-shines-light-on-life-and-heart-of-st-junipero-serra) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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