Dismayed at the death of her colorful flowers, Smoky wanders into the woods one autumn day, where she happens upon Lady Equinox's banquet table, and, in addition to being royally feasted, learns a little about the passing of the seasons and the cycle of the year. This new-found knowledge, and her faith that the death of the old year will be followed by the birth of the new, reconcile Smoky to the changes she sees around her...

A picture-book celebration of the Feast of Mabon - the Wiccan holiday associated with the Autumnal Equinox - this is the first explicitly Pagan children's book I have come across, and I'm very glad, for that reason, to have read it. Although it is one of the top ten religious persuasions here in the United States, modern (or neo-) paganism is not something I often see addressed in children's literature, making the publication of Smoky and the Feast of Mabon a welcome event. I can't say that either story or illustrations particularly "wowed" me - the narrative felt a little forced, and the artwork, though colorful, was a little too cartoonish for my taste - but given the dearth of other materials with this theme, I would still recommend this one to all Pagan parents looking for holiday tales for their children, as well as young readers from other traditions, who are interested in learning more about what Pagans actually believe. ( )