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Edition:	Puffin Books (Paperback)
Author:	Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
Published:	May 1977
Pages:	128
ISBN 10:	014030956X
New:	$1.95 (43)
Used:	$0.01 (130)
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Miss Hickory is a doll with body made of apple twig and a head made of hickory nut. Miss Hickory lives in a corncob doll house under a lilac bush outside Great-granny Brown's home in New Hampshire. Every winter, she expects to be in Great-granny's kitchen windowsill with young Ann dropping almost everyday with useful items for her house.

One late September, Crow called Miss Hickory and told Miss Hickory that Great-granny Brown and all the family are moving to Boston. The next day, MIss Hickory looked for Mr. T, a wandering barn cat. Mr. T confirmed that what Crow said was true and Great-granny Brown's family had already left for Boston.

Knowing that Miss Hickory will not survive the cold winter outside the house under a lilac bush and being a friend, Mr. T offers Miss Hickory the use of his barn home for the winter. Miss Hickory refused Mr. T's offer and decided to just go back to her corncob house to figure out what to do. However, it seems that Chipmunk had already taken over the corncob house and plans to stay there whole winter. Miss Hickory has nowhere to stay for the winter!

Crow came to Miss Hickory's rescue. He assured her that change is good for everyone and that he has found her a new home. Crow brought Miss Hickory to her new home right up the Hill where Robin's roomy, empty nest sits on an apple tree. Robin will not be back until spring. The first thing Miss Hickory did is find herself some clothes for the winter.

One day in November, Hen-Pheasant is so depressed because COck has driven her out of her home. Miss Hickory learned that all other Hen-Pheasants are in the same state of depression every because Cock is always driving them out of their homes every autumn. Miss Hickory advised Hen-Pheasant that they must form a Ladies Aid Society and make a bed quilt that will occupy their time through winter and keep them busy and safe.

It is now late December. Squirrel tells Miss Hickory that she must not miss the celebration. Come Christmas Eve, Miss Hickory wakes with the dazzling moonlight in the snow. A procession of different animals is happening down from the Temple Mountain. Then at midnight, the Christmas star enters. The night was so magical that Miss Hickory can't almost believe it really happened.

Three months passed by and it's the beginning of springtime. Crow invited Miss Hickory for a flight to the countryside to witness the beginnings of the spring. Miss HIckory decided to make herself some spring clothes and then go back for the springtime. HOwever, When she got home, she found out that Robin has reclaimed his nest.

In the middle of her despair, Miss HIckory saw that Squirrel's home at the bottom of the tree is now empty. Miss Hickory steps in to the dark hole only to find out that Squirrel is still inside but very weak. Squirrel has not eaten for the whole winter because he forgot where he placed his nuts. Miss Hickory mocked Squirrel for being brainless wastrel. Squirrel was so angry that he bit off Miss Hickory's hickory nut head.

Miss Hickory ran out of Squirrel's home in a very up spirit even without her head. With a feeling of freedom and joy, she decided to climb to the very top of the old apple tree shedding her clothes as she goes. Feeling tired from climbing, Miss Hickory gave herself a final push to the wide crotch of the tree and rests.

It is now May and Great-granny, young Ann and family have returned from Boston. Young Ann was devastated that Miss Hickory is gone. Timothy-of-the-Next-Farm suggests to young Ann for a walk through the orchard. They marveled at the pink and white movie of the New Hampshire apple orchard and stopped beneath an old McIntosh tree where old Crow is calling from the top. Timothy and Ann climbed up the tree and found a new graft that is blooming with flowers.

Young Ann knows that the new graft is her own Miss Hickory. and that it will bear a big apple one day for her.