Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Copyright Page

  This is Jack. Today Jack is in a bubbly mood. There’s only one more sleep until Christmas!

  Jack is very excited. He is wearing his reindeer antlers. They make everyone laugh.

  Every Christmas Eve, Jack and his family go to Carols by Candlelight.

  This year Jack is bringing his best friend, Billie.

  Jack’s parents have packed a yummy picnic basket for dinner.

  Billie comes over to Jack’s house. She has a present in her hands.

  ‘This is for you,’ she says to Jack. ‘Merry Christmas!’

  ‘Thanks!’ says Jack. He doesn’t open it yet. ‘Wait here. I’ll go and get yours.’

  Jack runs upstairs to get his present for Billie. It is a photo of Billie and him in a frame made of cardboard.

  All around the frame are pictures of Billie’s favourite things. A soccer ball, an ice-cream, even a banana sandwich with sprinkles. Jack drew all the pictures himself. He really hopes she will like it.

  Jack runs downstairs with the present. ‘Can we open them now?’ he asks his mum.

  ‘Sure,’ she says.

  Jack unwraps Billie’s present first. ‘An Asha CD!’ he says. ‘She’s my favourite singer.’

  ‘Mine too!’ says Billie. ‘She’s singing at the concert tonight.’

  ‘I know,’ says Jack. ‘I can’t wait. Thanks.’

  But then suddenly Jack feels embarrassed about his present. A home-made photo frame is not nearly as cool as an Asha CD.

  Billie unwraps Jack’s present. She smiles when she sees the photo frame.

  ‘Thanks, Jack!’ says Billie. ‘Did you draw all the pictures?’

  Jack nods. ‘It’s not as good as an Asha CD,’ he says. ‘Sorry.’ He feels his cheeks get hot.

  ‘I love it!’ says Billie.

  Jack looks at Billie carefully to see if she is telling the truth. She looks happy. But Jack still feels worried.

  ‘OK kids, time to go!’ says Jack’s dad.

  Jack and Billie jump up and down with excitement.

  ‘Now remember,’ says Jack’s dad. ‘It will be very crowded at the park. You will have to stay close, OK?’

  ‘OK,’ promise Jack and Billie. They climb into the car. Jack’s dad puts on the new Asha CD. Jack and Billie sing along with all the songs, very loudly!

  Soon they arrive. Jack and Billie look out the car window and gasp. What a beautiful sight!

  The park is filled with people holding candles. In the dark, the candles twinkle like fairy lights.

  They find a spot for their blanket. They eat cheese and bread and dip for dinner, and Christmas cupcakes for dessert.

  ‘Are you excited about tomorrow?’ Billie says to Jack.

  Jack nods. ‘Thanks for the CD,’ he says.

  ‘I wish I had a better present for you.’

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ says Billie. ‘I love your present.’

  But Jack still wishes he had something else to give her.

  Soon it is time for the concert to start. Different singers come onstage and sing carols. Jack and Billie join in when they know the words.

  Jack’s dad lights their candles and they sway to the music. The singers are good but not as good as Asha.

  ‘Uh-oh. I need the bathroom,’ Jack says.

  ‘OK,’ says his dad. ‘I’ll take you.’

  ‘But I don’t want to miss Asha!’ says Jack.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ says his dad. ‘We’ll be quick.’

  Jack and his dad walk carefully around the people on their blankets.

  Lots of other people are walking to the bathrooms too. It is very crowded.

  On their way back, Jack sees Santa by the stage. He is giving out helium balloons.

  ‘Hey look, Dad – Santa!’ Jack says. He runs up to Santa to get a balloon for Billie. He chooses a purple one because it is her favourite colour.

  A purple helium balloon is a cool present.

  He turns around to find his dad. ‘I got a balloon!’ he says.

  But Jack’s dad isn’t there.

  Jack’s heart starts beating very fast. He runs a little way into the crowd.

  Then he stands on his tippy-toes. But it is no use. There are just too many people. He can’t see his dad anywhere.

  Big salty tears roll down his cheeks. It’s Christmas Eve and Jack has lost his family!

  ‘Hey there, little reindeer,’ comes a woman’s voice.

  Jack looks up through his tears.

  He gasps. It’s Asha, standing right there in front of him!

  He quickly wipes his nose on his sleeve.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Asha asks.

  ‘I’m lost,’ sniffs Jack.

  ‘Oh dear,’ says Asha. ‘How did that happen?’

  Jack looks down at his toes.

  ‘I was with my dad,’ he says. ‘But then I stopped to get a balloon from Santa, and I lost him.’

  ‘Well, I’m on my way to the stage,’ Asha says. ‘Why don’t you come with me and I’ll see if we can find your parents?’

  Asha takes Jack’s hand and leads him through the crowd. Lots of people stare at him walking with Asha.

  She is very famous. Jack feels very proud. He can’t wait to tell Billie!

  When they get to the stage, Asha sits Jack down on the steps. ‘Just wait here,’ she says. Then she walks up onto the stage.

  ‘Merry Christmas, everyone,’ Asha says into the microphone.

  Everyone in the crowd cheers. They have all been waiting for Asha to sing.

  ‘Thank you! Thank you!’ she says. ‘I will be starting in a few minutes. But first of all, I just found a lost boy in the crowd.

  His name is Jack and he is wearing reindeer antlers.

  Can his mum or dad come and collect him, please?’

  Asha walks back down the steps. ‘They should be here soon,’ she says kindly. ‘I’d better get back onstage now. Will you be all right here?’

  Jack nods. ‘Thank you,’ he says.

  But then he has an idea. He almost feels too shy to ask. He takes a deep breath. ‘Um, can I ask you for one more thing?’ he says. He feels his cheeks get hot.

  ‘It’s not for me. It’s for my best friend, Billie.’

  ‘Sure,’ says Asha. ‘What is it?’

  Jack whispers in her ear.

  ‘Of course!’ says Asha and she takes a black texta out of her pocket.

  Very soon, Jack sees his dad coming towards him.

  Jack grins and waves.

  Phew, what an adventure!

  Jack holds the purple helium balloon tightly in his hand. It was a good present before, but now it is even better! He knows Billie will love it.

  The Lost Reindeer

  published in 2012 by

  Hardie Grant Egmont

  Ground Floor, Building 1, 658 Church Street

  Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia

  www.hardiegrantegmont.com.au

  eISBN 9781742739830

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior permission of the publishers and copyright owner.

  A CiP record for this title is available from the National Library of Australia

  Text copyright © 2012 Sally Rippin

  Illustration copyright © 2012 Stephanie Spartels

  Logo and design copyright © 2012 Hardie Grant Egmont

  Design by Stephanie Spartels

 

 

  Sally Rippin, The Lost Reindeer

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