"With the cat in tow, Pettson plodded up the hillside behind the tool shed. Here and there he cut some fir branches and laid them on the sled. When it was full they turned to go back down again. But all of a sudden, Pettson slipped on a stone: the sled flew forward and hit the old man in the back of his knees so that he fell back on the branches. Gathering speed down the slope, the sled hurtled straight into the stone wall and tipped over.

"The cat was thrilled and whooped, 'Again!'

"But the old man didn't find it quite so amusing. Moaning and groaning, he struggled up out of the snow. 'Oh, oo, ow!' he cried. 'I'm hurt. I can't stand on my foot.'

"The cat was dumbfounded. 'You mustn't swear the day before Christmas Eve, ' was all he could think of saying." (from the book)

It is the day before Christmas Eve and there is lots to do but disaster strikes when Pettson sprains his ankle. How can they celebrate Christmas now--with no tree, ham, meatballs or gingerbread? For all their resourcefulness, Findus and Pettson are close to giving up, when suddenly there is a knock on the door...

A wonderful tale of kindness and sharing, about how Christmas can bring out the best in people--and in cats, naturally!

(Ages 3-7)