Holly and the Magic Bunny by Kateryna Dronova

When Holly is whisked away to a magical winter forest by a talking bunny, she faces more than snow and enchantment — she discovers what truly matters. No longer allowed to rely on comfort, Holly must learn the value of kindness, courage, and honest hard work if she hopes to find her way home.
Through trials, laughter, and unexpected friendships, Holly realizes that being helpful doesn’t mean losing herself — it means discovering strength she didn’t know she had. A heartwarming tale perfect for readers seeking adventure, magic, and the reminder that even the coldest winter can lead to newfound warmth.

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Excerpt from Holly and the Magic Bunny © Copyright 2025 Kateryna Dronova

CHAPTER 1

During winter, it was always warm and cozy in Grandma’s house. Logs crackled cheerfully in the stove while the sweet smell of pies filled the air. In the corner, a little Christmas tree stood covered in shiny ornaments and colorful streamers. Beyond the window, snowflakes floated down from the sky like feathers, gently covering the tired rosebushes in a fluffy white blanket.

Holly leaned her forehead against the cold glass, watching as snow piled up on the bare bushes.

Grandma stepped over to the stove to take out another batch of pies.

“Holly, sweetie,” she called. “Hand me the oven hook, will you?”

“I’m busy, Grandma.”

“Oh?” Grandma asked with surprise. “Busy with what?”

Holly waved vaguely at the window. “Just . . . watching.”

“Well, now! When your mom and dad get here tomorrow, I’ll tell them you’ve been lazing around all weekend again.”

“Mmhmm,” Holly mumbled, her eyes still glued to the falling snow.

“Holly, you are always daydreaming! Sometimes you need to focus.”

But the little girl didn't hear a word.

Grandma sighed and grabbed the oven hook herself. With practiced ease, she pulled the tray of pies from the oven and the sweet smell grew even stronger, filling the entire room. Holly finally pulled her eyes away from the window and sniffed the air.

“Feels chilly in here,” she muttered, frowning.

“Well, if you’d brought me the oven hook, you’d have warmed up by now! Work keeps you warm, you know.”

Holly gave a shrug.

“Alright, then,” Grandma said, a little tired from all her baking, “come have some tea and pie instead.”

Holly quickly hopped onto a little green stool, grabbed a pie, and took a big bite.

“Ouch, it’s hot!” she exclaimed, still chewing.

“Careful now—take small bites so you don’t burn yourself,” Grandma warned her. “Where are your manners?”

“Who even needs manners?” Holly muttered.

After tea, Grandma quietly began tidying up the table. “Holly, help me clean up a bit, will you?”

“Maybe tomorrow? I’m full and sleepy,” Holly said with a stretch, rubbing her eyes.

“At least sweep the crumbs off the floor. You know, many hands make light work!”

“Later,” the girl yawned widely.

Grandma just shook her head. “Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve, you know,” she said mysteriously.

“So?”

“Well, the Magic Bunny might skip your house and leave no treats under the tree.”

“What?!” Holly’s eyes went wide. “Why?”

“The bunny believes it’s very important to try your best to be helpful,” explained Grandma. “Only helpful children get gifts.”

“Then I don’t want his gifts anyway!” Holly jumped up so quickly that her stool wobbled, then marched to her room with a huff and slammed the door.