Alphabet Adventures

Mabel Is Terrible at Hiding!

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Julia draws a white X on the garden path and looks up at enormous Mabel.
Julia draws a chalk X on the path. "This is home. Let's play hide-and-seek!" Mabel looks at Julia. Julia looks up. And up. "You hide first." "All of me?" asks Mabel.
Julia covers her eyes while Mabel considers a little bush.
Aa

A is for Away

Say it: uh-WAY

Julia turns away. "I won't look." Mabel looks for somewhere to put an enormous dinosaur.
Mabel stands behind a tiny rooted bush that hides only part of her.
Bb

B is for Bush

Say it: BUUSH

Bush in front. Mabel behind. Well, some of Mabel.
Julia counts with her back turned while Mabel arranges her long tail.
Cc

C is for Count

Say it: KOWNT

Count slowly, Julia. Mabel is still arranging her tail. "Ready!"
Julia points at Mabel behind the small bush.
Dd

D is for Dinosaur

Say it: DYE-nuh-sor

"That bush has grown a dinosaur," says Julia. "A very quiet dinosaur," says Mabel.
Mabel closes her enormous eyes while Julia looks up.
Ee

E is for Eyes

Say it: EYEZ

"Eyes closed?" asks Mabel. "Mine are open now," says Julia. "I could close mine."
Julia points at Mabel’s two broad feet.
Ff

F is for Feet

Say it: FEET

"Feet," says Julia. "I can see your feet." Mabel looks down. "Oh. I forgot the bottom."
Julia and Mabel laugh together.
Gg

G is for Giggle

Say it: GIG-uhl

A giggle shakes the bush. Then it shakes Julia. "I think you found me," says Mabel.
Julia points from the tiny bush toward much taller trees.
Hh

H is for Hide

Say it: HYDE

"Hide somewhere bigger," says Julia. Mabel looks at the very small bush. Then at the very big trees.
Mabel rests a small hand under her chin while Julia thinks.
Ii

I is for Idea

Say it: eye-DEE-uh

"I have an idea," says Mabel. "Is it a big one?" "It needs to be."
Julia covers her eyes as Mabel moves between the trees.
Jj

J is for Julia

Say it: JOO-lee-uh

Julia covers her eyes again. Behind her, leaves go swish. Quite a lot of leaves.
Mabel bends her large knees between two trees.
Kk

K is for Knees

Say it: NEEZ

Knees bend. Mabel settles between the trees. This time, she remembers the bottom.
Leafy branches drape over Mabel’s tummy, nose and tail.
Ll

L is for Leaves

Say it: LEEVZ

Leaves round her tummy. Leaves round her nose. A leafy branch over her tail. Nearly perfect.
Leaf-covered Mabel opens her mouth while Julia lowers her hands.
Mm

M is for Mabel

Say it: MAY-buhl

"I am a tree!" says Mabel. Julia lowers her hands. "Trees don't say that."
Mabel sits beside the bench, with a clear path to the white home X.
Nn

N is for Now

Say it: NOW

"Now your turn," says Mabel. She sits beside the bench. "I'll find you from here." Julia looks round. "I've got a little idea."
Julia passes the bench while Mabel closes her eyes.
Oo

O is for Off

Say it: AHF

Off goes Julia. Mabel closes her eyes. Julia passes the bench. Then she doubles back.
Julia crouches behind Mabel’s thick tail base; one ivory hair bow peeks out.
Pp

P is for Peek

Say it: PEEK

Julia crouches behind the thick base of Mabel's tail. Peek! One white bow shows. Mabel opens her eyes and looks past the flowers.
Julia tries to stay quiet behind the great tail wall.
Qq

Q is for Quiet

Say it: KWYE-uht

Quiet, Julia. Don't giggle. Not even a little one.
Mabel turns her head while Julia stays behind the tail.
Rr

R is for Ready

Say it: RED-ee

"Ready or not!" calls Mabel. She turns her head. Julia stays very still.
Mabel looks toward the nearby tree and flowers.
Ss

S is for Search

Say it: SURCH

Search behind the tree. Search beside the flowers. Mabel's enormous nose goes this way. Then that way. The rest of Mabel stays put.
Julia crouches on the far side of Mabel’s grounded tail.
Tt

T is for Tail

Say it: TAYL

A tail makes a very good wall. On the other side of this one— Julia.
Mabel lowers her head beside the bench and peers toward one orange ball underneath.
Uu

U is for Under

Say it: UN-der

Under the bench? Mabel peers down. One ball. No Julia.
Julia presses her lips together behind Mabel’s tail.
Vv

V is for Very

Say it: VEH-ree

"Very good hiding," says Mabel. "Thank—" Julia clamps her lips together.
Mabel turns toward her tail while Julia bends her knees.
Ww

W is for Where

Say it: WAIR

"Where did THAT come from?" Mabel turns toward her tail. Julia bends her knees. Ready...
Julia reaches the white X on the clear path beside Mabel.
Xx

X is for X

Say it: EKS

Julia dashes out and taps the chalk X. "Home!"
Julia and Mabel smile at each other after the hiding game.
Yy

Y is for You

Say it: YOO

"You were right behind me!" says Mabel. "Only a little bit behind," says Julia.
Julia covers her eyes for another turn while Mabel looks toward the trees.
Zz

Z is for Zoom

Say it: ZOOM

Zoom! Julia runs back to cover her eyes. "Your turn!" Mabel looks at the bush. Then at the trees.
Mabel stays very quiet among leafy branches, with her mouth closed.
Leaves round her tummy. Leaves round her nose. Mabel opens her mouth. Then she closes it. Shhh.

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