There, set in the shade of the elf’s tree, was a beautiful oak reading bench that said, FOR THE CHILDREN OF PS 88. Mr. Bundy could hardly believe it.
“Thank you so much,” he said. “It’s amazing!”
Mr. Bundy sat on the bench and the elf joined him.
“Shall I go get us some books?” asked Mr. Bundy. “We could read together awhile.”
“No, thanks,” said the elf.
“Don’t you like to read?” asked Mr. Bundy.
The elf whispered, “I don’t know how.”
“We’ll just have to fix that,” said Mr. Bundy. “I’ll teach you.”
The principal went into the library and came back with some great books to get them started.
* * *
That night, Mr. Bundy listened to his favorite Hawaiian music while eating the pineapple pizza he’d picked up on his way home. It wasn’t exactly a trip to Hawaii, but it was just what he wished for.
Word List
category (KAT•uh•gore•ee): A grouping of things or people
collection (koh•LEK•shun): Items gathered together for study or other purposes
comfy (COM•fee): Relaxing to be in
convince (kun•VINSE): To get someone to believe something
designer (dih•ZYNE•er): A person who creates a plan for a project
encourage (ehn•KUH•ridge): To give help, support, or hope
explanation (ex•pluh•NAY•shun): A reason for doing something
fundraiser (FUND•ray•zer): An event held to bring in money
hysterical (hih•STAIR•ih•kul): Extremely funny
official (uh•FIH•shul): Coming from a known and important source
personality (per•sun•AL•ih•tee): The set of qualities that make up a person’s character
proposal (pro•POH•zul): A plan or suggestion
resist (ree•ZIST): To not give in
speechless (SPEECH•less): Unable to talk
sputtered (SPUH•terd): Spoken quickly and explosively
stray (STRAY): In the wrong place
Questions
1. If you could make a wish for your school, what would it be?
2. If you could make a wish for yourself, what would it be?
3. If you could make a wish for the world, what would it be?
4. Hector’s joke on page 48 is wordplay because “sausage” sounds like “saw such.” Can you think of another wordplay yolk? I mean, joke!
More from this Series
Lost and Found
Our Principal Is a…
Persephone & the Evil…
Stars of the Show
Geeger the Robot Goes to…
Athena & the Island…
About the Author and Illustrator
Aaron Blecha is an artist who designs funny characters and illustrates humorous books. His work includes the Shark School series and Goodnight, Grizzle Grump! Originally from Wisconsin, Aaron now lives with his family by the south English seaside.
Aladdin Quix
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids
www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Stephanie-Calmenson
www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Aaron-Blecha
Read more ALADDIN QUIX books!
By Stephanie Calmenson
Our Principal Is a Frog!
Our Principal Is a Wolf!
Our Principal’s in His Underwear!
Our Principal Breaks a Spell!
The Adventures of Allie and Amy
By Stephanie Calmenson and Joanna Cole
Book 1: The Best Friend Plan
Book 2: Rockin’ Rockets
Book 3: Stars of the Show
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ALADDIN QUIX
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
www.SimonandSchuster.com
First Aladdin QUIX hardcover edition August 2020
Text copyright © 2020 by Stephanie Calmenson
Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Aaron Blecha
Also available in an Aladdin QUIX paperback edition.
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
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Designed by Karin Paprocki
The illustrations for this book were rendered digitally.
Library of Congress Control Number 2020936154
ISBN 978-1-5344-5756-0 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-5344-5755-3 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-5344-5757-7 (eBook)