Two stories featuring Punchinello, the carved wooden boy who, in the first tale, tries to prove his worth by amassing more boxes and balls than anyone else, and in the second, learns that keeping up with fads is difficult and that his creator, Eli, has given each person in the town of Wemmick different characteristics on purpose.

""Originally published as separate books: You Are Mine 2001, If Only I Had a Green Nose 2002.""