The Tale of Lainey Cane title lettering, with Lainey in her purple snowsuit among snowy pines

The Candy Cane Maker

Ever wonder who made the very first candy cane?

A Christmas picture book by Chris Newman

On a stormy Christmas Eve, the mischievous Wyndsor Wind sweeps little Lainey away from her family. Lost in the snowy forest, she and a new friend invent something sweet — and the candy cane is born.

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Wyndsor Wind, a giant spirit of swirling snow, lifts Lainey away as her father reaches for her

A brand-new legend for the oldest candy on the tree

Every December, millions of candy canes get hooked onto branches — and no one ever asks where they came from. The Tale of Lainey Cane gives families the answer: a brave girl, a talking squirrel, a winter wind with a snowman collection, and one very clever idea involving berries.

It's a story about listening, staying close, and never losing sight of your family — sized for ages 3–8 and for grown-ups who read out loud with the voices.

Meet the cast

The characters of the book standing together: Lainey, Father, Mother, Grandmother, Cashu the squirrel, and Wyndsor Wind

Lainey

Six years old, hard to scare for long, impossible to miss in her purple snowsuit. She listens beyond what she can see.

Cashu

A talking squirrel who has warned plenty of lost children. Lainey is the first one who ever listened.

Wyndsor Wind

The winter wind himself — sly, blustery, and always looking to add one more snowman to his collection.

A peek inside

Lainey and Cashu the squirrel meeting face to face in the gentle snow
A friendship begins in the Valley of the Snowmen.
A cozy fireside Christmas scene with candy canes on the tree and Cashu at the window
Home safe — with candy canes on the tree ever since.

Be first when Lainey arrives

Join the launch list for the release date, early-reader copies, and a look at how ten-year-old pencil sketches became this book.

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Or write to us anytime at hello@laineycane.com.

Get the book

Coming October 2026 in paperback, just in time for Christmas.

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