Squirrel has been hanging on the same post on the animal puppet tree in a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport gift shop for over a year. He wishes someone would buy him, play with him and give him a proper name, so he can experience a world that only exists in his dreams.
When 10-year-old Travis picks the squirrel puppet to travel with him to visit his grandmother in Indianapolis for the holidays, Squirrel’s wish not only comes true, but it also starts a series of adventures for both boy and squirrel. They discover Riverwood Hollow and its many secrets: a river lined with towering trees, enchanting wildlife, a woman with purple running shoes, a magic mailbox, a shiny fork in the road. They explore a hotel and ride its elevator, imagining themselves climbing up and down a world tree. But what they really find along their way is the true meaning of courage, love, and family. And that a dream is a real place.