Just in time for the holiday season, West Virginia native and first-time author Chad Story announces the release of his debut children’s book, Christmas in the Mountain State. The full-color book takes you under the gold dome where the red cardinal, our state bird, kicks off his Christmas journey.
Every scene is a postcard from home: snowy hills, the shimmering New River Gorge Bridge, and towns buzzing with joy. Oh, and if you’ve heard “Country Roads” about a thousand times, make room for a thousand and one.
It’s there too, setting the tone just right.
Kids sit in classrooms daydreaming of Santa while crafts happen with help from the West Virginia Mountaineers. Over at Chief Logan State Park, Christmas lights dazzle more than the usual Friday night high school football game. Let’s talk about those locations. We’re not tossing you into unknown waters here. The book visits all the favorites: The Greenbrier with its holly wreaths, Harpers Ferry glowing with cheer, and yes, even Marshall University’s band is in on the action. Silent Night has never sounded so good.
What sets this gem apart? It’s our home. It’s West Virginia through and through, from the Sugar Maple trees to the coal that keeps us warm. This isn’t just another Christmas story. It’s our Christmas story. A glossary at the back offers young readers a deeper look at what makes West Virginia unique.
“Written in memory of my late parents, I wanted to create something that kids will treasure but that also sparks pride for families who call our state home,” said author Chad Story. “This book is my love letter to the Mountain State, told through the eyes of our state bird.”
Christmas in the Mountain State will be available in local bookstores and shops and online on November 1, 2025, but pre-orders are now available at chad.story.com.
Chad will kick off his book tour throughout the Mountain State on December 1, 2025, starting in his hometown of Man, West Virginia.
