SEVEN-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN WALKER is unhappy livingwith his narrow-minded Aunty Doris and Uncle Ron. He wantsmore than anything to live with his beloved mother. Hisunhappiness increases when, just before Christmas, heoverhears his aunt planning to send him to a foster home. The next day, while out on an errand, Justin discovers aportal into the world of ING-ONG-UNG. There he meetsBenny the raccoon and his wife Loretta who tell Justin aboutTHE STONKING STEPS, the fabled staircase to happiness. Maybe if Justin goes there he will be reunited with his mother!Benny and Loretta decide to accompany Justin on his journey. Along the way more friends join them in their quest - Nutmegthe gingerbread man, Gregory and Norman the horses, Pacothe wooden boy. They all have their own reasons for going tothe Stonking Steps. On their journey, they encounter the evil Nono whoprograms children's mischievous behaviour on his computer,the greedy Hip who intercepts presents children are supposedto receive from Santa, and the devious schoolteacher MissBloop who gives impossible homework assignments. Can they get past the villains to get to the StonkingSteps and find the happiness they are seeking?
