Kristy and the Baby Parade by Ann M. Martin

Author:Ann M. Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2014-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

On Monday afternoon when I went to the Prezziosos’ to sit, Jenny flung the door open before I’d even rung the bell. She must have been waiting for me. “Guess what!” she said. “Mommy figured out what Andrea’s costume should be.”

“That’s great.” I said. “I can’t wait to hear about it.” I thought she’d tell me about the costume, but instead she heaved a big sigh.

“I wish I could be in the parade,” she said, “and wear a pretty costume and everything.”

“I know,” I said. “But you’re a big girl, and the parade’s just for babies.”

She nodded. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t such a big girl,” she said wistfully. “Sometimes I wish I was still a baby.”

I felt bad for her. She must have been feeling kind of left out. “But remember,” I said. “Big girls get to do all kinds of things that babies can’t do, like helping to bake cookies, and —”

Just then, Mrs. Prezzioso burst into the front hall. “Oh!” she said. “You’re here, Kristy. I didn’t hear the doorbell.”

“I know,” I said. “Jenny —”

But she cut me off. “Did you hear about Andrea’s costume?” she asked. “I think it’s going to be absolutely precious.” She seemed really excited.

“I heard that you chose a theme,” I answered, “but Jenny hasn’t told me what it is.”

“Oh, I know you’re going to love it, Kristy,” she said, smiling happily. “I’ve decided to dress her as Queen Andrea!”

Queen Andrea?

I gulped. “That — that sounds wonderful!” I said, trying to seem enthusiastic. It seemed like a pretty weird idea to me, if you want to know the truth.

“And she’s going to have a crown, and a long, long dress!” added Jenny.

“That’s right,” said Mrs. P. “Let me show you what I’ve found so far.” She threw open the door to the hall closet. “Here’s her crown,” she said, showing me a gold crown (made of plastic) with fake jewels all over it. “And she’s going to wear this big wig, like they wore in the old days.” She showed me something that looked like my neighbor’s cat.

I didn’t know what to say.

“Oh! I’ll be late if I don’t get going,” said Mrs. P. suddenly, looking at her watch. “Andrea’s asleep, but she should be ready to wake up soon.”

I trailed her out the door. She had planned Andrea’s costume without my help. I wondered if she still wanted me to work on it. “Is there anything else I should do about getting Andrea ready for the parade?” I asked. I was hoping that she’d changed her mind and didn’t need my help after all.

“Oh, that’s right!” she said. “I almost forgot. I want you to figure out how to make her stroller look like a coach.”

A coach. Oh, sure.

“You can use any materials you find in my sewing room,” she said. “I’m going to be pushing her in the parade,” she added. “And I want her to look fabulous so she’ll make a good impression on the judges. I would really, really like her to win first prize in her division.

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