“Footprints in the Snow is a heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure, and mystery. It’s tough to say who steals the spotlight – the fierce, untamed mountain lion or the boy with an unstoppable thirst for adventure. This story beautifully explores compassion and the wild spirit shared by animals and humans alike. It’s got heart and humour with a serious twist. The mix of everyday life and unpredictable moments makes it relatable and hard to put down.”

“In yet another touching animal story from Alison Bellringer, readers will meet an impetuous 10-year-old from a chaotic family, whose instincts about wild animals are sound (even if his judgment about shortcuts is not). Mack has hurt his arm while taking a shortcut through the forest with his best friend, Katrina, when he ran into a mountain lion! He keeps trying to tell everyone what happened, but no one ever seems to have time to listen to him. In fact, all they are interested in doing is scolding him for getting into mischief again… Then, one winter day, he and Katrina spot tracks and blood in the snow—something small and defenseless is alone and injured in the woods where the mountain lion might still be lurking! In their determination to help, Mack and Katrina have a surprise in store. Mack is a typical impish little boy, and readers will love laughing along with his mother’s distracted attempts to keep up with his adventures and his own growing frustration at being unable to tell his story fully. Amid the humor, however, is the solemnity of the moment when Mack returns the injured baby to its mother, reminding us that in the midst of our human concerns and activities, the wild is there waiting to interact with us—if we’re willing to give it our attention. This short chapter book is a thought-provoking and entertaining story for any reader who loves animals and wild spaces.”

“Two children decide to take a shortcut through a nearby forest. What was meant to save time, turns into a dangerous encounter with a mountain lion. Mack is slightly injured, but the kids escape safely, however nobody at home seems to pay it much attention. Amidst the hustle of family visitors, Mack struggles to share the story while everyday life carries on around him. Months later, the forest calls again. After a snowfall, Mack and Katrina discover fresh tracks that lead them to a surprising find… We read it out loud to the third graders and they really enjoyed it. I love the message about empathy, and respect for nature. The author does a wonderful job portraying realistic family life, scenarios and dialogue. It led to an interesting conversation about Mountain Lions, the dangers and how to react when we see one in the wild. Also we talked about wild animals, being compassionate and respectful of them and what to do if you find an injured animal. It’s a lovely winter story that proves even the smallest footprints can lead to the biggest acts of kindness. Definitely worth checking out!”

“Footprints in the Snow is a delightful short story. While it’s written for children between the ages of nine and eleven years of age, adults will find it very entertaining. We meet our main characters, Mack and Katrina, doing what most children do—not listening to their parents. In this case, a (supposed) shortcut through the woods to get home from a party proves to be the wrong move. Mack hurts his arm when they flee from a mountain lion. Would they actually enter the forest again? Alison Bellringer has created a cast of characters that sprang to life. The friendship between Mack and Katrina was sweet and tender. Mack’s courage and his determination to do the right thing was admirable. I loved Mrs. Owens, Mack’s mom. Her frustration with her son was evident, but you could tell she loved him very much. A refreshing story, Footprints in the Snow is well-written, perfectly paced, with an absolutely perfect ending. It would be a great book for the entire family to read together. I highly recommend it.”