Pick a Pet, Gus! (Gus the Hedgehog)

Pick a Pet, Gus! Williams

Every year, Gus asks his mom for the same birthday present: a pet. But he never gets one ... until this year. Go shopping with Gus to pick the perfect pet—and then see what happens on Show and Tell Day!

illiams by Jacklyn W n oug Cushma D y b d te a tr illus

Pick a Pet, Gus!

The amazing road to reading begins with Read-it! Readers. These beautiful books are easily aligned to a variety of readers’ skills. Look inside for a description of each level. Reading Specialist: Adria F. Klein, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, California State University San Bernardino, California

Reinforced Library Binding ISBN-13: 978-1-4048-2712-7 ISBN-10: 1-4048-2712-9

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a k c i P ! s u G , Pet

A Note to Parents and Caregivers: Read-it! Readers are for children who are just starting on the amazing road to reading. These beautiful books support both the acquisition of reading skills and the love of books. The PURPLE LEVEL presents basic topics and objects using high frequency words and simple language patterns.

The RED LEVEL presents familiar topics using common words and repeating sentence patterns.

The BLUE LEVEL presents new ideas using a larger vocabulary and varied sentence structure.

The YELLOW LEVEL presents more challenging ideas, a broad vocabulary, and wide variety in sentence structure.

The GREEN LEVEL presents more complex ideas, an extended vocabulary range, and expanded language structures.

The ORANGE LEVEL presents a wide range of ideas and concepts using challenging vocabulary and complex language structures. When sharing a book with your child, read in short stretches, pausing often to talk about the pictures. Have your child turn the pages and point to the pictures and familiar words. And be sure to reread favorite stories or parts of stories. There is no right or wrong way to share books with children. Find time to read with your child, and pass on the legacy of literacy. Adria F. Klein, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus California State University San Bernardino, California



Editor: Jill Kalz Designer: Nathan Gassman Page Production: James Mackey Associate Managing Editor: Christianne Jones The illustrations in this book were created with watercolor. Picture Window Books 5115 Excelsior Boulevard Suite 232 Minneapolis, MN 55416 877-845-8392 www.picturewindowbooks.com

Pick a ! s u G , t e P

Text copyright © 2007 by Jacklyn Williams Illustration copyright © 2007 by Doug Cushman All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The publisher takes no responsibility for the use of any of the materials or methods described in this book, nor for the products thereof. Printed in the United States of America. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Williams, Jacklyn. Pick a pet, Gus! / by Jacklyn Williams ; illustrated by Doug Cushman. p. cm. — (Read-it! readers. Gus the hedgehog) Summary: Billy has always had the best show-and-tell presentations, but when Gus finally gets a pet he is sure it is his turn to shine. ISBN-13: 978-1-4048-2712-7 (hardcover) ISBN-10: 1-4048-2712-9 (hardcover) [1. Pets—Fiction. 2. Snakes—Fiction. 3. Show-and-tell presentations—Fiction. 4. Hedgehogs—Fiction.] I. Cushman, Doug, ill. II. Title. III. Series. PZ7.W6656Pic 2006 [E]—dc22 2006003383 ISBN-10: 1-4048-2311-5 (eBook)

by Jacklyn Williams illustrated by Doug Cushman Special thanks to our advisers for their expertise: Adria F. Klein, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, California State University San Bernardino, California Susan Kesselring, M.A. Literacy Educator Rosemount–Apple Valley–Eagan (Minnesota) School District

“Guess what I want for my birthday tomorrow, Mom!” Gus said at breakfast. “A pet,” said Mom. “How did you know?” asked Gus. “Because that’s what you ask for every year, dear,” Mom said.

“Can I have one?” asked Gus. “I’ll think about it,” Mom said.





The next day, Gus and his mom drove to the pet store. “Welcome to Puggle’s Pets,” said a short, square man. “My name is Mr. Puggle. May I help you?”

At dinner, Gus asked, “Have you finished thinking yet?” “Not quite,” Mom said. “What kind of pet do you want this time?” “I’ll show you tomorrow,” Gus said, “when we visit the pet store!” 



“Today is my birthday,” Gus said. “We’ve come to buy a pet.” “What kind of pet are you looking for?” asked Mr. Puggle.



“I have all kinds of pets,” Mr. Puggle continued. “I have snails and hermit crabs. I have birds of all sizes and colors. I also have playful goldfish, clown fish, and angelfish.”



Gus pressed his nose against a glass container and smiled. “This is the pet I want,” he said. “He looks clean. He’s quiet. And I bet he’s never impolite. Can I bring him home?” Gus’ mom sighed and said, “OK.”

Gus’ mom shook her head. “Snails and crabs aren’t very playful,” she said, “and birds are messy, dropping their feathers and seeds. Fish are quiet and clean, but they stare at you impolitely.” 10

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As soon as he got home, Gus started building a house for his new pet.

G U NTHE R

“You will have to stay in the box until I’m done,” he said.

An hour later, Gus was finished. “See?” he said. “It says ‘Gunther’ on top. That’s your name!” Gunther made a sound like a leaky balloon. He was happy with his new home. 12

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Gus’ friend Bean poked his head over the fence. “What are you doing, Gus?” he asked. “I’m teaching Gunther some new tricks,” said Gus. “So far, he can stay, play dead, and open his mouth when I tap on his back.”

“Can he do anything else?” asked Bean. “Sure! At night, he sleeps with me and keeps the monsters away. And at dinner, he eats my vegetables so I can have dessert,” Gus said.

G U NTHE R

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“Too bad Gunther doesn’t know any funny tricks,” said Bean. “We could play a joke on Billy.” Gus scratched his head and thought.

Later that day, Gus and Bean took Gunther for a walk. When they reached Billy’s house, they stopped. Gus spotted Billy and smiled. “Come on,” Gus whispered. “I have an idea.” 16

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Gus climbed up and wiggled out on a thick branch. Bean handed Gunther to him. “Remember, Gunther, when I tap on your back, open your mouth WIDE,” Gus whispered.

Gus, Bean, and Gunther slipped quietly through the gate. They tiptoed across the grass and slid behind the tree. 18

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Gus tickled Billy’s nose. Billy swatted the air in front of his face. He mumbled in his sleep. Gus and Bean covered their mouths, trying to keep their giggles inside.

Gus tickled Billy’s nose again. This time, Billy opened his eyes. “What’s going on?” he asked sleepily.

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Gus tapped on Gunther’s back, and Gunther opened his mouth wide. 21

The hammock flipped. Billy landed with a THUD, and then ran away screaming. Gus and Bean laughed and laughed. Gunther just said, “Hisssss!”

“Hisssss,” Gus hissed in his very best snake voice. “There isss nothing going on, Billy. I jussst came to visssit you.” “AAAHHH!” yelled Billy. 22

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The next morning at school, Gus sat quietly at his desk. Yesterday’s trick had been great, but Gus wasn’t done yet.

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“What’s in there?” asked Billy. Gus patted the box on his desk and smiled. “Just the very best show-and-tell ever,” he said.

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“Good morning, class,” said the teacher. “Now, who brought something for show-and-tell?” Ten hands shot into the air.

“Let me see,” said Billy. “No,” said Gus, hugging the box. “It’s a surprise. You’ll just have to wait.” 26

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“All right, Billy,” said the teacher. “Why don’t you go first?” Billy smirked as he walked past Gus’ desk. “I bet mine is better than yours,” he whispered. “Mine is ALWAYS the best.”

Billy opened a jar and shook something into his hand. “Stink bugs!” he said. “If you pick them up, your hands smell awful.” The teacher frowned. “Thank you, Billy,” she said. “Gus, you go next.” 28

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“AAAHHH! Don’t eat me!” screamed Billy. “Gunther doesn’t want to eat you,” laughed Gus. “He wants to eat your bugs! I guess you were right, Billy. You DID bring the best show-and-tell— at least Gunther thinks so!”

“This is my new pet, Gunther,” Gus said. “He’s a snake.” Gus opened the box, and Gunther wiggled out. He slithered right to Billy’s desk and flicked his tongue in and out. 30

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