Evie Scruffypup's Big Surprise

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Map of Friendship Forest

  Epigraph

  CHAPTER ONE: An Autumn Visitor

  CHAPTER TWO: Blossom Day

  CHAPTER THREE: Masha’s Spell

  CHAPTER FOUR: Ellie’s Surprise

  CHAPTER FIVE: The Jewel Cavern

  CHAPTER SIX: Mud Pies

  CHAPTER SEVEN: A Secret in Petal Dell

  CHAPTER EIGHT: Party Time!

  Sneak Peek

  Puzzle Fun!

  Lily and Jess’s Animal Facts

  Copyright

  Jess Forester shuffled her foot through a pile of crisp, fallen leaves. “There are lots of acorns here!” she said. She and her best friend, Lily Hart, were in Jess’s yard, filling a box with fallen nuts.

  “They’ll be a treat for the squirrel my mom and dad are taking care of,” said Lily.

  The squirrel was one of the patients at Helping Paw Wildlife Hospital, which was across the street from Jess’s house. Lily’s parents ran it, and the two girls loved animals so much that they helped out whenever they could.

  A flurry of deep gold leaves drifted down from the tree.

  Jess caught one. “I love fall colors, don’t you?” she said. “There’s yellow and red and—look!” She pointed up through the branches. “There! A squirrel!” she said.

  More leaves tumbled down as the squirrel bounded higher.

  “He’s so sweet!” said Lily. “Maybe he’ll come to us if I offer him an acorn.”

  She held one out, but the squirrel stayed on the branch, watching them nervously.

  “He’s shy. Let’s leave some here for him,” Jess suggested, heaping a handful of acorns on the grass.

  “I wish we could tell him it’s safe to come down,” said Lily. “After all, we’ve talked to squirrels before in Friendship Forest!”

  Jess grinned. Friendship Forest was a secret world where the animals lived in little cottages and visited the Toadstool Café and, best of all—they talked! One of them, a cat called Goldie, was the girls’ special friend. She had taken them on lots of exciting adventures in the forest.

  “I wish Goldie would visit us soon,” Lily sighed.

  Jess nudged her, pointing to a nearby tree. “She’s here now!” she said in delight.

  A pair of green eyes, the color of grass in the evening sun, blinked from between the yellow leaves.

  “Goldie!” the girls cried.

  A beautiful golden cat leaped from the tree and ran to press against their legs, purring.

  The girls bent to pet her.

  “Does this mean Friendship Forest needs our help?” wondered Lily. “Is Grizelda causing trouble for the animals?”

  Grizelda was a wicked witch. So far Jess, Lily, and Goldie had managed to stop her plans to take over the forest, but now Grizelda had four helpers—messy creatures from the Witchy Waste.

  The Witchy Waste had once been a beautiful water garden, with willow trees, ponds, and waterlilies. Then Grizelda’s creatures had made it as dirty as a landfill. Now she wanted them to help her make Friendship Forest messy and horrible, too, so all the animals would have to leave.

  The last time Jess and Lily were in Friendship Forest, Peep the bat from the Witchy Waste put a spell on Olivia Nibblesqueak, a sweet little hamster. The spell made Olivia as messy as Peep, and had started to turn her into a bat, too! The girls had managed to undo Peep’s spell, but they knew that three more Witchy Waste creatures were waiting to cause trouble.

  Goldie mewed as she turned toward the gate.

  “Come on, Lily!” Jess hopped with excitement. “Goldie’s taking us to Friendship Forest!”

  The girls ran down the lane, hurrying past the wildlife hospital. Two baby rabbits sat up inside their pen, looking startled as the girls dashed by.

  Goldie led them over the stepping-stones in the stream at the bottom of Lily’s yard, and into Brightley Meadow. In the middle stood an old oak tree with bare, lifeless branches.

  The Friendship Tree!

  Jess and Lily shared an excited glance as Goldie reached the tree. Something amazing was about to happen!

  Sure enough, leaves sprang from every branch—but they weren’t the bright spring green they usually were. This time, the leaves unfurled in glorious autumn colors—red, yellow, orange, and gold. They glowed in the sunshine. Bluebirds and robins swooped down to feast on the scarlet berries that hung from every twig.

  Goldie stretched up a paw and patted some words carved into the tree trunk. Jess and Lily read the words aloud: “Friendship Forest!”

  A door with a leaf-shaped handle appeared in the trunk. Jess opened it, and a soft golden light gleamed from inside. Goldie slipped through the door.

  The girls held hands excitedly as they followed her into the shimmering glow.

  A tingle ran right through them. Jess and Lily knew that meant they were shrinking, just a little.

  As the light faded, they found themselves in a clearing in Friendship Forest. It was always summer in the forest, and today the warm air was sweet with the popcorn scent of nearby butterpuff bushes. Little cottages were tucked among the shady tree roots.

  “It’s wonderful to be back,” Jess began, then gasped in surprise.

  Every tree was covered in a glorious blanket of blossoms.

  “Wow! There are so many colors,” said Lily, gazing up in wonder.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” said a soft voice.

  The girls spun around. Their cat friend was standing upright, wearing her glittering golden scarf!

  “Goldie! At last we can talk to you!” cried Lily as she ran to hug her.

  “It’s a very special time in Friendship Forest,” said Goldie, smiling. “Today is Blossom Day!”

  “What’s Blossom Day?” Lily asked.

  “Once every year,” Goldie explained, “all the trees bloom. Doesn’t it look gorgeous?”

  “It smells gorgeous, too!” said Jess. “Like honey and plums and jasmine all mixed together!”

  “It’s even better at Petal Hill,” Goldie replied. “That’s where we celebrate Blossom Day. Come with me!”

  On the way, Jess and Lily gazed up at the dazzling petals that covered the trees.

  “Those ones are so pretty!” Jess said in wonder, pointing out a cluster of purple blossoms that looked like fluffy pompoms.

  Lily spotted some white flowers trailing down from the branches. “Look, they’re like beautiful strings of pearls!” she said.

  Soon they reached a round hill, dotted with blossom-covered shrubs.

  At the foot of the hill was a rambling den with blue walls and a steep red roof. Yellow and white striped curtains billowed at the open windows. All around it was a garden, filled with colorful flower beds, tall trees—and lots of their animal friends!

  “Hello, everyone!” called Lily and Jess.

  There were squeaks, quacks, and squawks of delight from the young animals.

  Bella Tabbypaw the kitten hugged them, purring loudly. Molly Twinkletail the mouse and her nine brothers and sisters called ten greetings. Lola Velvetnose the mole hugged Lily’s leg.

  “Girls!” said Goldie.

  Jess and Lily turned to see Goldie standing with a family of dogs with thick fluffy black-and-white fur, pointed ears, and madly wagging tails.

  “Meet Mr. and Mrs. Scruffypup,” said Goldie, “and their daughters, Evie and Hattie.”

  The excited pups hugged the girls.

  “Hello!” said Hattie. She was as tall as the girls’ waists and had a blue bow on her head.

  “Hello, Lily! Hello, Jess!” said Evie and hugged both of them, her tail wagging. She had dark, sparkling eyes and was wearing pink glasses. S
he was smaller than her sister and her fur was much scruffier, sticking up in little tufts.

  Mr. Scruffypup laughed as the pups jumped down. “We’re glad to meet you, Jess and Lily,” he said. “We’ve heard about how brave you’ve been, standing up to Grizelda. Come in, come in! Everyone wants to see you!”

  A tiny golden hamster ran toward them, and Jess scooped her up. “Hi, Olivia Nibblesqueak!” she said.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” the little hamster said.

  “Me, too,” said Evie eagerly. “We’re going to start the blossom-drop hunt soon and you can join in!”

  “That sounds fun,” said Lily, with a laugh, “but what is the blossom-drop hunt?”

  “We have it every Blossom Day,” Mrs. Scruffypup explained. “Blossom drops are special tasty treats—the Nibblesqueak family makes them in their bakery, from honeysuckle blossoms. Mr. Scruffypup and I hide them all around Petal Hill and everyone tries to find as many as they can!”

  Evie bounced up and down with excitement. “Can we start the hunt now, Mom? Please?”

  “Please! We can’t wait!” cried the other little animals, gathering around Mr. and Mrs. Scruffypup.

  Mr. Scruffpup chuckled. “We can’t start just yet,” he said. “We need Mr. Cleverfeather to get here first. I wonder where he could be?”

  Jess gave a cry as she spotted an old owl, wearing a waistcoat and monocle, hurrying toward Petal Hill. Under one wing was tucked a machine that looked like a mini vacuum cleaner. “Here he comes!” she said.

  “Lorry I’m sate,” panted the owl as he reached them, mixing up his words like he always did. “I mean, sorry I’m late. I’ve got my Peffal Putter,” he said, patting the machine, “so we can start the hunt!”

  “He means Petal Puffer,” Goldie whispered to the girls with a grin.

  “Thank you, Mr. Cleverfeather,” said Mrs. Scruffypup. “Now when the Petal Puffer puffs, the hunt for the blossom drops begins!”

  Lily, Jess, Goldie, and the little animals lined up excitedly in front of Mr. Cleverfeather. Evie was holding on to her big sister’s paw, her tail wagging with excitement.

  “Petals ready! Puffer steady! Go!” Mr. Cleverfeather hooted.

  He pressed a button and the Puffer whooshed thousands of petals high up above them. They drifted slowly downward like colorful confetti. With squeals of delight, the animals ran off to hunt for blossom drops. Lola Velvetnose and Olivia Nibblesqueak ran into the den, while Bella Tabbypaw darted over to search in a flower bed.

  “Look!” Bella cried, holding up a little package made of leaves. “I’ve found some blossom drops!”

  “Let’s search in the tree house,” said Hattie. “It’s this way!”

  The girls and Goldie ran after the two puppies as they bounded over to a huge old apple tree. Built all around the trunk, and reaching up into the branches, was the most amazing wooden tree house they’d ever seen.

  “Wow!” gasped Jess as she stared up at the different levels. There were curtains at the windows and pretty flowers painted all around the door.

  “Dad made it,” said Evie. “Me and Hattie have lots of fun in here. Let’s see if there are any blossom drops inside!”

  Evie and Hattie climbed into the tree house. Then they vanished from sight!

  “Where are you?” Lily called up to them.

  “Surprise!” Evie giggled, popping up at a third-floor window.

  “Hi!” cried Hattie, looking out a door on the second level.

  Evie disappeared for a moment, then leaned out of the topmost window. “Boo!”

  Laughing, the girls and Goldie followed them inside. More flowers were painted on the walls, and they went up a wooden ladder to the next level, where Evie and Hattie were searching through a huge pile of toys.

  Evie give a yip of excitement, and from inside a box of wooden animals she pulled out a small packet made of leaves tied with grass strands.

  “Surprise!” Evie called. “Blossom drops!”

  She handed the package to Lily, who opened it. Inside were lots of oval, honeysuckle-scented treats.

  “Mmm!” Lily said as she ate one. “It’s gooey in the middle! That was a surprise.”

  Evie giggled and Hattie pulled her into a hug. “Evie loves surprises!” Hattie said, ruffling her little sister’s fluffy fur.

  They all jumped when they heard a terrified squeal.

  “Eeeeeeeek!”

  It came from the Scruffypups’ den.

  “What was that?” asked Goldie, her tail twitching with worry.

  They hurried out of the tree house. Little animals were bursting out the front door of the den, scurrying to their parents. The girls and Goldie ran over. Through the windows, they could see a rat, a crow, a toad, and a bat charging through the den, chasing the frightened animals.

  “The creatures from the Witchy Waste!” cried Lily. “They’re stealing all the blossom drops!”

  “Come on!” cried Lily as she, Jess, and Goldie ran into the den.

  The Witchy Waste creatures were hurtling around the Scruffypups’ kitchen. Snippit the crow flapped his tattered wings at Lola Velvetnose the mole. She’d dropped her big purple-framed glasses and didn’t see him until he was right next to her. She shrieked and knocked over some saucepans. “This way, Lola!” called Goldie, helping her to the door.

  Masha the rat waved her straw hat as she pushed the kitchen chairs over. “Yee-ha!” she cried. “This is fun!”

  Lily scooped Olivia Nibblesqueak out of the teacup she was hiding inside. “You’re safe now,” she told the tiny hamster, as she carried her outside and placed her on the grass.

  “Stop it! You’re scaring everyone!” Jess shouted.

  Hopper the toad crawled out from under the kitchen table. She poked her wide, flat tongue out at Jess. Peep the bat landed on a shelf, giggling as he sent a stack of plates crashing to the floor. “Lovely mess!” he squeaked.

  There were frightened cries from outside the den. Through the window, the girls saw a familiar yellow-green orb floating over Petal Hill.

  “Oh, no!” groaned Lily, as they ran back out of the den.

  Cra-ack! The orb burst into smelly yellow-green sparks.

  Mr. Cleverfeather flapped backward as the sparks cleared, revealing Grizelda in her purple tunic. Her skinny black pants were tucked into shiny boots with thin high heels. The witch’s green hair hung around her shoulders like wet seaweed as she threw back her head, cackling.

  “It’s the meddling girls and the interfering cat,” Grizelda said. “You might have stopped Peep’s fun, but Masha, Snippit, and Hopper haven’t cast their spells yet.” Her dark eyes glittered as she pointed at the watching animals with a bony finger. “Soon Masha will use her magic on one of you—then you’ll turn into a messy rat, too!”

  Jess, Lily, and Goldie stood their ground as the animals ran and hid, squealing.

  Grizelda laughed. “The spell will make whoever it touches love messiness as much as Masha and her friends. Soon, the forest will be filled with creatures who love messiness and dirt! Friendship Forest will become so filthy that all you silly animals will have to leave. Ha-haa!”

  Jess shouted bravely, “You won’t win!”

  “We’ll see about that!” Grizelda snapped her fingers and disappeared in a burst of spitting sparks.

  The animals were staring at each other in horror. A flash of movement caught Lily’s eye—Masha the rat was scuttling toward Evie!

  “Look out!” Lily yelled.

  But Masha had already reached the little puppy. She turned around and shook her long pink tail. A shower of purple sparks cascaded over Evie.

  Goldie’s paws flew to her mouth. “Oh, no!” she cried.

  Evie shook her fluffy fur. She sat still for a moment, but she looked exactly the same as she had before.

  “Maybe nothing will happen,” said Jess hopefully.

  But then Evie gave a yip. She darted to Bella Tabbypaw, snatched her blossom drop package, and threw the sweets all o
ver the ground. “Look, a nice mess!” she cried.

  “Oh, no,” said Goldie, “poor Evie already thinks she’s a messy rat!”

  “Hee-hee!” giggled Masha. “Let’s take them all!” Evie and the Witchy Waste creatures ran into the trees, taking the rest of the stolen blossom drops with them.

  “Come back!” called Mr. Scruffypup. But Evie had disappeared into the forest.

  Evie’s mom gave a horrified cry and grasped the girls’ hands in her paws. “What shall we do?”

  Jess hugged her. “Don’t worry,” she said. “We’ll get Evie back.”

  “We helped Olivia Nibblesqueak, remember?” said Lily, putting an arm around Hattie.

  “That’s right,” said Goldie. “We found a spell in Mrs. Taptree’s library when Olivia started behaving like a bat. It stopped the messy magic before and it can do it again!”

  Jess reached into her pocket and pulled out the mini-sketchbook she always carried with her.

  “I copied it down,” she said, flipping through the pages. “Listen—it’s a spell to turn you back to your normal self.

  You want to be yourself again?

  Then here’s what you must do.

  Gather up those favorite things

  That mean the most to you.

  What do you like to do the most?

  What food do you love the best?

  And what is your biggest secret?

  Now here’s a little test.

  Put them in your favorite place,

  The place you love to be.

  If someone names those things aloud,

  Yourself once more you’ll be.

  Hattie Scruffypup’s face brightened. “So we need to find Evie’s favorite things?”

  “Exactly!” Lily beamed. “If we do that, we can save her!”

  Mrs. Scruffypup dabbed her eyes. “Let me see … Evie’s favorite food is blossom drops,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “But those horrible Witchy Waste creatures have taken them all.”

  “Don’t cry,” Lily said. “Maybe the Nibblesqueaks will make some more.”