Dexter, Missouri - "Today we are going to read about strangers!  Not bad strangers, but good ones." That's how Mary Ann Simmons started her morning with the children.

"Can you figure out who the stranger is?" she asked as she showed them the front of the book, "Stranger In The Woods" by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick.   One little girl pointed out the deer on the front cover while another pointed to the snowman.

The book is a photographic fantasy that tells how the furry and feathered friends of the forest respond to a mysterious visitor.  All of the animals are apprehensive because there is a stranger in the woods. The bluejays, chickadees, deer, owl, squirrels and other animals are not sure how to react. Little by little, starting with the birds, the animals in the forest follow the snow trail and come close enough to examine the stranger.  They find a snowman.

Unbeknownst to them, a brother and sister had crept into the woods and built the snowman. They gave him a carrot nose, mittens, and a cap in which they make a dent so it could hold nuts and bird seed.

They also left corn for the animals. A doe eats the snowman's carrot nose, while the birds enjoy the nuts and seed. Later, when a fawn finds a mitten on the ground, the animals realize that there is still another stranger in the woods.

Stranger in the Woods is a beautifully photographed, captivating book that will appeal to three to eight year old children. There is also a special feature in the back of the book, "Recipe for a Snowman".

The children enjoyed singing songs and dancing.  Then after story time, the children gathered around the tables to make wonderful treats and crafts to take home.  Doughnut snowmen, shaving cream snowmen and snowmen made of doilies.  From the smiles on their faces one could see that the children had a fun time at the library.

The authors have created a website www.strangerinthewoods.com and is a wonderful page for activities, recipes, and wonderful graphics.  They also have a Facebook page which you can discover some of their wonderful photography.

For more exciting pictures of Tuesday's Story Hour go to the ShowMe Times Facebook page.  We have created an album of photos, Keller Public Library Story Hour, January 29, 2013.