Happy santa day, p.1
Happy Santa Day!, page 1
Welcome to ALADDIN QUIX!
If you are looking for fast, fun-to-read stories with colorful characters, lots of kid-friendly humor, easy-to-follow action, entertaining story lines, and lively illustrations, then ALADDIN QUIX is for you!
But wait, there’s more!
If you’re also looking for stories with tables of contents; word lists; about-the-book questions; 64, 80, or 96 pages; short chapters; short paragraphs; and large fonts, then ALADDIN QUIX is definitely for you!
ALADDIN QUIX: The next step between ready to reads and longer, more challenging chapter books, for readers five to eight years old.
To Karen, who adds a happy dose of ho ho ho!
—A. K.
Cast of Characters
Santa: Jolly gift giver
Mrs. Claus: The first lady of the North Pole
Molly: One of the reindeer at Reindeer Ranch and twin brother of Wally
Wally: One of the reindeer at Reindeer Ranch and twin brother of Molly
Roger: The rancher at Reindeer Ranch
Ms. Dow: The toy workshop teacher at Elf Academy
Andy Snowden: An Elf Academy student
Jay: Andy’s best friend
Susu: Andy’s twin sister
Zahara: An Elf Academy student
Kal: An Elf Academy student
Nicole: Susu’s best friend
Principal Evergreen: Principal of Elf Academy
Craig: Andy and Susu’s older brother
1 December 26
It was the morning of the day after Christmas.
Santa’s Christmas Eve ride was over, and it had been magical. A full moon and bright stars had lit the sky for the last part of the journey, making it easy to see the way back home to the North Pole.
Santa and the reindeer had traveled over thirty-nine million miles to deliver just the right toys to kids everywhere. And even now Santa was…
sleepy.
tired.
pooped.
Santa slumped in his chair at the kitchen table across from Mrs. Claus.
His eyes were half closed. His head was nodding up and down.
“Maybe you should take a nap,” Mrs. Claus suggested.
“That’s a… yawn… good… yawn… idea,” Santa said. “Yawn.”
He stood up, walked over to an overstuffed chair near the living room fireplace, and plopped down in it. He fell asleep faster than a melting snowflake.
“Zzzzzzzz… zzzzzz…”
* * *
Over at Reindeer Ranch, Molly, her twin brother, Wally, and the other reindeer were yawning too.
After all, they’d also made quite a trip around the globe helping Santa deliver toys. Flying through the night sky while pulling Santa’s heavy sleigh was tiring.
Roger, the rancher at Reindeer Ranch, was taking good care of them; he gave each one a soft pillow, a fluffy blanket, and a healthy, leafy green snack.
And faster than two melting snowflakes, they were all asleep.
2 Cleaning Up
Not far away, at the Elf Academy toy workshop, the elves in Ms. Dow’s second-grade class were full of energy. Of course, they hadn’t traveled with Santa the night before, so they had slept soundly.
“Attention, everyone!” announced Ms. Dow. “Your toy making this year was elf-tastic, but all the last-minute finishing touches left quite a mess in this workshop. There are ribbons and bows and bells and balls all over the workbenches. And I’m not sure what those are on the ceiling.”
“Those are the helium-filled race cars I built,” Andy Snowden answered. “They zoom really fast on the floor, but because of the helium, they won’t stay on the floor!”
“That’s why they’re on the ceiling!” Andy’s best friend, Jay, told Ms. Dow with a laugh.
Everyone at Elf Academy, especially Jay, knew that Andy had an imagination as big as the Arctic Ocean. He was always thinking of how he could make something bigger and better and more fun.
“I’m sorry I asked,” Ms. Dow said, frowning. “Now everyone, please gather the items and put them where they belong. That way we can use these leftovers all year long and won’t be wasting a single piece.”
The elves started picking things up to take to the storage bins.
Andy asked his teacher, “Would you like me to sing the toy cleanup song, Ms. Dow? Maybe it’ll help everyone work faster.”
“I don’t recall any song like that, Andy,” she replied.
Andy smiled. “That’s because I’m singing it for the very first time. Listen…,” he said and began:
“Pick up one red ribbon; put it in the bin.
Pick up some tape and scissors, too, and do it with a grin.”
“Can you believe I just made that up?” Andy asked. “I’ll sing it again.”
Before Ms. Dow could stop him, Andy started singing the tune over and over again.
“Stop!” Susu, Andy’s twin sister, yelled, putting her hands over her ears. “You’re not even on key, Andy! And I can’t hear myself think.”
But all the elves did clean up faster while Andy sang, hoping they could finish before he started all over again.
3 Thanks a Lot!
When all the bows, bells, glitter, crayons, and paint had been put away, Andy finally stopped singing.
Ms. Dow looked around the classroom and said, “You’ve all cleaned up the workshop very nicely. Your song must have worked, Andy.
“And now, class,” she added, “I have another task for you.”
Andy’s friend Zahara raised her hand. “What is it?” she asked Ms. Dow.
Ms. Dow began, “As you know, all of us at the North Pole love making children happy. And Santa is so busy making sure each and every gift is delivered precisely on time year after year. He gives so much to everyone.”
“That’s because he’s jolly!” Jay called out.
“That’s true, Jay,” Ms. Dow said. “But while kids write to tell him what gifts they’d like, I don’t think very many send him a note to say thank you.”
“I never thought about that,” Zahara said. “Gee, I wonder if this makes Santa less jolly.”
The elves couldn’t believe it. Could Santa really be sad and not jolly? What could they do?
“Well, we should make him a card,” Susu said. “And have every kid in the world sign it.”
“Wouldn’t that take a lot of time?” Kal wondered.
“It would also take up a lot of room,” Nicole pointed out. “Millions and millions of signatures, all on one gigantic card.”
Zahara thought about that for a moment. “Well then,” she said. “Let’s just have the kids sign their first names.”
Ms. Dow smiled and told the class that a thank-you card just from the elves was what she actually had in mind. She suggested that they each write a note, and then those notes could be pasted onto a giant card to give to Santa.
“We can begin right now,” she told her students as she handed out paper in rainbow colors to each elf.
Andy agreed it was a super way to thank Santa, but when Ms. Dow gave him an orange piece of paper, he blurted out, “Wait! Hold it! I have an even better idea! A really, really great way to say thank you!”
“We are not singing Santa a song, Andy,” Ms. Dow replied.
“Wouldn’t that be awesome, though?” Andy smiled. “But think about it: What’s more fun than a card and more fun than a song?”
Kal, Nicole, and Jay each took a guess:
“A new hat for Santa?”
“A pair of fuzzy slippers?”
“A mouthful of chocolate-covered pretzels?”
“No! No! And no!” Andy answered. “I’ll give you a hint: it’s a five-letter word, and the first two letters are P-A.”
Again Kal, Nicole, and Jay each took a guess:
“Pants?”
“Paste?”
“A panda?”
“No! No! And no again!” Andy said. “The word is P-A-R-T-Y.”
“What do you mean, Andy?” Zahara wanted to know.
“A party,” Andy said. “Let’s throw Santa Claus the best and biggest thank-you party!”
4 Surprise!
The elves loved Andy’s idea.
Ms. Dow did too.
“I will speak with Principal Evergreen and the other Elf Academy teachers before the end of the school day,” she told the class. “Maybe we can hold the party first thing tomorrow morning. But we will have to see if Santa is available.”
Andy nodded, but then his ears started to tingle, and once again he blurted out, “Wait! Hold it! I have an even better idea.… Let’s make it a surprise party!”
Everyone was silent for a moment, and then the entire class, even Ms. Dow, clapped, cheered, and stomped their feet.
The elves made so much noise that:
a basket of bells tumbled off a bookshelf.
Ms. Evergreen raced from her office down to the classroom.
Santa woke up from his nap.
* * *
Santa stretched a giant stretch and told Mrs. Claus, “I feel quite rested now.”
Then he joined his wife for a cup of Mrs. Claus’s favorite tea: cranberry candy cane.
As he sipped, Santa said, “We are so very lucky that the Elf Academy students are so talented and hardworking. We could never get through the holiday season without them, year after year.”
“We are indeed,” Mrs. Claus answered. “And don’t forget all the help from Principal Evergreen, Ms. Dow, and the rest of the teachers and staff.”
Santa stroked his beard. He was sile
“How about sending them a card?” Mrs. Claus suggested.
“That’s a very nice thought,” Santa said. “But I wonder if there’s something even better.”
“You could bake a batch of your famous North Pole cookies,” Mrs. Claus offered, smiling. “After all, no one knows more about cookies than you do.”
“That’s true. I’ve tasted thousands and thousands of cookies left for me by kindhearted children,” Santa said. “And my North Pole recipe mixes together all the best ones I’ve ever had.”
“Then it’s decided,” Mrs. Claus said. “We will bake North Pole cookies!”
But then Santa’s eyes twinkled. “Wait! Hold it! I have an even better idea!” he said. “Think about it: What’s more fun than a card and more fun than cookies?”
Mrs. Claus thought for a moment and told Santa that she couldn’t think of anything.
“Ho ho ho! Here’s my idea,” he said. “Let’s throw the elves a big thank-you surprise party!”
5 Party Planning
Usually after lunch the elves never wanted to come in from recess. But today they raced in after a game of Polar Bear tag.
“Ms. Dow! Ms. Dow!” Jay called out. “Did you talk to others about the surprise party?”
Andy added, “Can we have it? What did Principal Evergreen say?”
For the first time that Andy could remember, Ms. Dow didn’t remind him or Jay to raise their hands before asking a question.
She answered, “Yes, class. I’m happy to report that the party is on. Ms. Evergreen has called an assembly now to assign the different party jobs. Please line up.”
For the first time that Andy could remember, the elves lined up and walked to the assembly quickly and quietly.
“Welcome!” Ms. Evergreen greeted the elves. “First I would like to thank Ms. Dow’s class for this wonderful and well-deserved thank-you for Santa. As the party is tomorrow, we have to move quickly.”
She continued, “This afternoon we will all be very busy. Grades one and two will make stars. Grades three and four will blow up the balloons. And grades five and six will make the streamers. Once you all return home, the rest of the staff will decorate the Sugarplum Toy Storage Building.”
“Ms. Evergreen? How will we let Santa know to come to the Sugarplum?” asked Nicole.
“After our assembly,” replied Ms. Evergreen, “I will call Santa and Mrs. Claus and tell them to meet us first thing in the morning to discuss an important toy matter. Santa never says no to toy matters!”
“Ms. Evergreen,” Andy called out. “Ms. Evergreen? What about the Reindeer Ranch reindeer? Can we invite them too?”
“That’s another fine idea, Andy,” said Ms. Dow.
“Thank you,” Andy said. “If it’s okay with you and Ms. Evergreen, Jay and I can run over to Reindeer Ranch right now and ask them to join us tomorrow.”
A few minutes later, the best friends rushed through the Reindeer Ranch gates and found their friends. They told Molly and Wally all about the surprise party plans.
“That sounds like such fun,” they told the elves.
“It will be,” Andy replied. “And of course, you and all the reindeer are invited. So is Roger. But remember, not a word to Santa or Mrs. Claus!”
“Shhh-hhh,”
Andy shushed.
* * *
Once Andy and Jay were back at Elf Academy, Ms. Evergreen had one last item on her to-do list.
“And finally,” Ms. Evergreen said, smiling from ear to ear, “the Elf Academy chefs will be baking Santa’s favorite cake: peppermint sprinkle swirl. See you all tomorrow for a super Santa surprise!”
6 The Santa Plan
Of course, no one at Elf Academy had any idea that Santa was also making plans.
“I know a great place to hold the party: the Sugarplum Toy Storage Building. It’s empty now that all the toys were delivered,” Santa said.
“Perfect!” Mrs. Claus said. “You’d better start baking, though. All those elves are sure to gobble up lots of cookies.”
“You’re right!” said Santa. “I hope we have all the cookie ingredients.”
Just then, brrrrrrrinnnng… brrrrinng… brrrrinng! The Claus telephone startled them.
Who could be calling? Santa wondered. Isn’t everyone pooped?
“Ho ho ho hello?” Santa said.
“Good afternoon, Santa. It’s Principal Evergreen. I hope I’m not disturbing you, but first thing tomorrow morning, we need to have a most important toy-making meeting. Please be at the Sugarplum at 9 a.m. sharp.”
Santa couldn’t believe his luck! “Say no more, Ms. Evergreen. Mrs. Claus and I will meet you at 9 a.m.,” he answered, and quickly hung up the phone. Usually a toy-making meeting could wait, but Santa was delighted to be told about the one tomorrow.
“Listen to this!” he told Mrs. Claus. “Tomorrow morning all of Elf Academy will be in attendance at the Sugarplum. It’s the perfect opportunity to surprise them with the thank-you party!”
Mrs. Claus beamed. “That’s Santa-rific! Now it’s time to start baking!”
* * *
Andy, Susu, and their older brother, Craig, spent the evening telling their parents all about the party for Santa. For the first time their parents could remember, all three of their children wanted to get to sleep early!
Susu said, “The sooner we go to bed, the faster we can surprise Santa!”
Andy thought the party plans sounded elf-tastic. But while Santa liked peppermint sprinkle swirl cake, Andy wasn’t sure it was special enough to really thank him.
It was when Andy was brushing his teeth that his ears started tingling.
Andy got into bed, puffed his pillows, and lay his head down. Right before he closed his eyes, he knew just what the extra ingredient should be: gumdrops!
Lots and lots and lots of gumdrops!
The only problem? How would Andy decorate the cake before the surprise party?
7 Getting Ready
The next morning Andy woke up before his family, quickly got dressed, and zoomed over to Jay’s house. He tapped on his friend’s bedroom window and signaled him to the front door.
“Andy, what are you doing here so early?” Jay asked, peeking his head outside.
“We need to make Santa’s surprise cake even more super special,” Andy explained as he held up a large bag. “And I have a sweet idea. Get dressed as fast as you can. I’ll tell you my gumdrop plan on our way over.”
Jay was outside a few moments later, and the friends hurried to the Sugarplum. Andy knew he and his best friend would have to work fast. Sure, they knew they could swiftly build a toy submarine or a birdhouse, but decorate a huge cake in a flash?
* * *
It almost felt like Christmas morning when the elves arrived at school. They were all so excited and nervous, they could hardly keep still on the way to their classrooms.
“I can’t wait to see Santa’s face. I hope we make him super jolly!” Kal said to Ms. Dow.
“I hope so too, Kal,” Ms. Dow replied.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Sugarplum Toy Storage Building…
“Andy, we can’t fit another gumdrop on the cake,” Jay said. “There isn’t any space left.”
“Just one more gumdrop, Jay,” Andy said, looking up. “I see room at the tippy top. I just have to figure out a way to reach the…”
And then Andy noticed the balloons floating near the ceiling of the room. “Help me out, Jay!” he called. “If I gather enough of the balloons together, they can lift me to the top, and I can plop down the last gumdrop.”
