On Christmas Day when Maxine misses out on the drumstick because she is neither the oldest nor the youngest, the unhappy girl moves out to the tree house. The other children miss Maxine and develop a thoughtful plan for demonstrating her important place in the family. Realistic family situations in this book lend themselves to discussion about family relationships, acceptance, and sensitivity to other's emotions. Caldecott winning illustration by Beni Montresor. In lively rhyming verse, a young boy recounts his visits to the king and queen.
Illustrations complete the text, showing readers which friends accompany the boy each day.