When a boy is turned into an ugly nutcracker, Marie is his only key to freedom. He, in turn, holds the key to her heart. Marie longs for a friend who understands her, so when she gets a nutcracker for Christmas, she is immediately captivated by its sad eyes. Her empathy, passion and loyalty for the ugly toy lead to a series of strange dreams, ending with heartbreak when she wakes up to find the nutcracker gone. But waiting downstairs is the friend of her dreams...

Sometimes statues are granted a chance to become warm, breathing creatures. The stone lion has only one dream—to run, pounce, and leap in the park across from where he sits. But one snowy night, when a baby is abandoned at his paws, he is compelled to think differently. This heartwarming and inspiring tale, with stunning Depression-era illustrations by Ritva Voutila, demonstrates the power of kindness and its profound ability to change lives.