MARION — During the hustle and bustle of a Saturday lunch rush at Uncle Jon’s in Marion, rows of small plush reindeer stood at attention on a table in the corner.

They were there as a part of Marion author Debra Thompson’s effort to promote her new book “Nova’s Wish”

“Nova’s Wish” tells the story of Nova, a baby reindeer lost in the snow who is found and brought back to Santa’s stable. But, as Thompson explained, Nova has a special wish to live with a child. At the end of the book “the child reading the book” is “chosen,” she said. Each book came with a gift bag, a small plush reindeer and “adoption papers” for Nova.

“I’ve had this idea in my head for probably 25 years,” she said. “I tried to write it and it wasn’t that great so I tried again. I now have a very new perspective and new appreciation for every book on the shelf.”

Thompson, a former teacher at a private preschool in Marion, has been working on “Nova’s Wish” for three years.

The book is “very special to me because my mom was integral in helping me bring this to what it is,” said Thompson. “She wasn’t here to see the final product but I know she’s shining down on me.”

According to Thompson, the Marion community has already come out in droves to support the book.

“The biggest thing is the smile on the kids’ faces,” said Thompson. “I’ve worked with kids my whole life [and I love] bringing smiles to their faces.”

For more information about “Nova’s Wish,” visit novathebabyreindeer.com.