Sophie, a young mouse, gets a very small Christmas present, while there is a big package for her little sister Jane, and she wonders whether Santa might have made a mistake.

On her second birthday, Sophie gets up on the wrong side of the crib and behaves terribly until her grandmother has an inspiration.

Jennie is as close to her grandfather as a mouse can be, and when he suddenly dies she keeps thinking she sees him turning a corner, sitting on a bench, heading for the pier, or walking along their beloved beach, seeking the elusive Queen's teacup seashell.