“I hope I get one someday,” Mallory whispered.
Chapter 51
“Want to try it on?” I asked Mallory.
“Yes,” Mallory whispered. “But I don’t want to ruin it with my Lion Hair full of shampoo.”
“It’ll be okay,” I said.
“You don’t think your Gingy and Poopsie would be mad?”
“No,” I said, imagining their faces.
Proud faces.
“I think they’d be happy.”
“Let’s try on each other’s,” Mallory suggested.
“Okay,” I said, and we did.
“We look great,” Mallory said.
“We both look great!” I said.
We jumped around so happy together.
Sorry I let my nasty thoughts out, Mallory, I thought.
But it was too hard to let that nice sentence out right then.
Maybe sometimes it’s okay to keep your nice sentences inside your private head, too.
I don’t know.
I was too busy jumping around in a circle with Mallory to decide about that.
Chapter 52
We walked in from recess together.
Before we got in, I asked Mallory for my cow-ears headband back.
I put it on my head.
It wasn’t too squishy anymore.
It was perfect.
Chapter 53
When we got back into Class 2B, Ms. Patel had great news!
It was time to make our Leaf Collage!
Everybody’s leaves looked different.
But they were all beautiful.
We did some good arranging.
We gave each other space.
We used a lot of glue.
It looked great.
Like us.
Acknowledgments
Amy Berkower, Elizabeth’s friend and defender (and mine)
Elizabeth’s best friends at Feiwel & Friends:
Anna Roberto, Elizabeth’s new superhero
Liz Dresner, designer of the beautiful cover and interior
Starr Baer, star of the schedule/copyediting/proofreading
Molly Brouillette, who takes care of all things publicity and marketing
Kim Waymer, who manages everything to do with producing the actual book
Melissa Croce, who gets Elizabeth to libraries and schools—some of her favorite places
And of course, forever, Liz Szabla and Jean Feiwel
Paige Keiser, gentle artist extraordinaire
Meg, brightener of moods and afternoons, by and in text
Zachary and Liam, who make me smile, snack, and be funnier
Nina, who live-texted as she read this book, which swelled my heart
Hannah, Emily, Isaac, Adam, Sarah, Katrina, Bex, Simon, Syd, Simone, Jason, Stephen, Pen, Xan, and other beloveds who share their hilarious stories with me (including my newest nephew, JT: Welcome to the fam!)
Mom and Dad, who let me cut my hair, get a headband, prove my point, wear the costume—and always still saw ME. Still do.
Auntie Lois, who knew the importance of accessorizing
Grammy, who made clogs and tea parties for me just when I needed them
N&P G&G G&P N&P, who conjure love from smiles, sugar, show tickets, and showing up
Evan and Jill, Susannah and Eric, Lauren and Peter, Stacy, Lynn, Bea, Tania, Melissa and Jeff, Stef and Jay, Carin, Mer, Gillian, Marji, Audrey, Tracy, Mira and Timo, fellow parents from HCES/TS@C/STUY, and all the others in life and online who share the stories, love, frustrations, and laughs of trying to be the parents our kids need—and reminding one another when we inevitably fall short that our kids are awesome anyway.
About the Authors
Rachel Vail is the author of children’s books including Justin Case, Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, and Righty and Lefty. She is also the author of several books for teens and middle grade readers, including If We Kiss, You Maybe, Gorgeous, Wonder, and Never Mind, which she wrote with Avi. Vail was born in New York City and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, just down the street from her future husband, though she didn’t know that until much later. She attended Georgetown University, where she earned her B.A. in English and Theater. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. You can sign up for email updates here.
Paige Keiser is an award-winning children’s book artist who has illustrated Little Chef and Mia Moves Out. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Copyright
A FEIWEL AND FRIENDS BOOK
An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
CAT EARS ON ELIZABETH. Text copyright © 2020 by Rachel Vail. Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Paige Keiser. All rights reserved.
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
Feiwel and Friends logo designed by Filomena Tuosto
First edition, 2020
mackids.com
eISBN 9781250162212
First eBook edition: April 2020