What fun to go on an adventure with Grandpa Herman! That is what Peter and Gretchen thought when Grandpa said, "Let's go to the fir woods!" Of course Hansie went too. Hansie was "black from the end of his nose to the tip of his long tail." It was this little cat and his curiosity that caused all the trouble. You will read all about it in the chapter called "Hansie's First Swimming Lesson." It turned out to be much, much more than just a swimming lesson, however.

Another friend of Peter and Gretchen's was the little brown bird who lived in the cuckoo clock on the wall. For years and years the cuckoo had lived there alone. And every hour he hopped out to tell Peter the time of day.

One day as Peter played on the floor he fell asleep. He had a wonderful dream, but you could never guess what it was. Because of his dream, Peter made a trip to Grandpa's workshop the very next day. It was always fun to visit Grandpa's shop and see all the little wooden creatures sitting on his shelves. All the people in Nuremberg called Grandpa "Henry Herman, the Wood Carver."

Peter had a very special reason for going to Grandpa's shop on this day. When you read the story you will find out all about it. The strange thing was that it all came about because of his dream.

From the E.M Hale and Company edition