Miranda the Beauty Fairy Read online

  I’m the king of designer fashion,

  Looking stylish is my passion.

  Ice Blue’s the name of my fashion line,

  The designs are fabulous and they’re all mine!

  Some people think my clothes are odd,

  But I will get the fashion world’s nod.

  Fashion Fairy magic will make my dream come true —

  Soon everyone will wear Ice Blue!

  Cover

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Map

  Poem

  A Splash of Magic

  The Fashion Fairies

  Ice Blue

  Makeover Mayhem

  Pond Scum Perfume!

  Miranda’s Magic Bubbles

  Teaser

  Also Available

  Copyright

  “This is amazing, Rachel!” Kirsty exclaimed. Her eyes wide, she stared up at the enormous glittering steel-and-glass building in front of them. Across the entrance was a sign that said TIPPINGTON FOUNTAINS SHOPPING CENTER in blue lights.

  “Yes, isn’t it?” Rachel agreed. “I’m so glad you’re staying with me for the break so you could be here for the grand opening, Kirsty.”

  “Me, too,” Kirsty said eagerly. “And I’m really looking forward to seeing Jessica Jarvis!” The famous supermodel was the special guest at the new shopping mall’s opening ceremony. A crowd of people had already gathered, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

  “I think we’re just in time for the parade,” Mrs. Walker said, locking her car. “Come on, girls.”

  Rachel, Kirsty, and Mrs. Walker hurried to join the crowd. Moments later, the first float appeared around the side of the building.

  “Every shop in the mall has its own float, Kirsty,” Rachel explained. “Look, the first one is Tippington Toys.”

  The float rumbled slowly toward them. A huge inflatable teddy bear sat on the back of the truck. Also on the float were two girls dressed as rag dolls with ruffled dresses and pigtails made of yellow yarn, as well as a boy wearing a red soldier uniform. They waved to the crowd as they passed by.

  “The next one is the Book Nook,” Kirsty said, reading the painted banner draped across the float.

  The Book Nook’s float carried people dressed as characters from storybooks. The girls spotted Snow White, Cinderella, Pinocchio, and several others. The Sweet Scoop Ice Cream Parlor float came next, with its giant foam ice-cream cones and ice pops.

  “That ice cream looks yummy!” Kirsty laughed.

  Rachel sniffed the air. “I can smell something yummy, too,” she said.

  “So can I,” Kirsty replied as delicious smells wafted past her nose. “Strawberries and vanilla!”

  “The Bath Bliss float is coming,” Mrs. Walker said. “They sell hair and body products.”

  A banner that stretched across the float declared, WE ONLY USE NATURAL ORGANIC INGREDIENTS! Rachel and Kirsty laughed when they saw that the float carried bubble machines that were spraying hundreds of shimmering, scented bubbles into the crowd.

  “Magical!” Rachel sighed. She caught a strawberry-scented bubble on her finger. “They look like fairy bubbles, Kirsty!”

  The girls exchanged a quick smile. Their friendship with the fairies was a very special secret.

  “Look, girls, here’s the last float,” Mrs. Walker said a little while later. “Can you see who’s on it?”

  “Jessica Jarvis!” Rachel and Kirsty announced excitedly.

  Jessica sat on a plush golden throne, waving to the crowd. She wore a sapphire-colored dress, and her long blond hair was twisted elegantly on top of her head.

  “She’s so pretty,” Kirsty murmured.

  Everyone cheered as the float stopped outside the doors of the shopping mall. A small platform with a microphone had been set up, and a group of local politicians, including the mayor, in her official robes, were waiting. Rachel and Kirsty could see a red ribbon tied across the doors.

  Jessica Jarvis stepped down from the float and onto the stage to thunderous applause.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Jessica said, smiling. “I’m so happy to be here to open this wonderful new shopping mall, Tippington Fountains. But before I do, I have a very special announcement to make. . . .”

  Rachel and Kirsty listened eagerly.

  “The owners of the shopping center have asked me to announce a brand-new children’s competition,” Jessica went on. “We want you to design and make your own outfits! They’ll be judged two days from now, and the winners will model them in a charity fashion show at the end of this week.”

  There was more applause.

  “And the design competition isn’t about looking like a model,” Jessica added. “It’s all about using your imagination and coming up with a unique outfit.”

  “Should we enter, Kirsty?” Rachel said.

  “Definitely!” Kirsty agreed.

  The mayor handed Jessica a large pair of scissors.

  “And now . . .” Jessica said, “I know you’re eager to see all the fabulous new stores. So I declare this shopping mall open!” With a flourish, she cut the red ribbon in half.

  There was more applause as the glass doors swung open. Then the girls and Mrs. Walker followed the rest of the crowd into the mall.

  “It’s just as beautiful inside as outside!” Kirsty declared, staring around in awe. Disco-ball lights and enormous hanging baskets holding lush green ferns dangled from the tall glass ceilings, and the floors were decorated with swirling patterns of silver mosaic tiles. Kirsty could hardly believe how many different stores there were, all with wonderful window displays.

  “The fountains in the middle of the mall are supposed to be spectacular, too,” said Mrs. Walker.

  “Oh, can we see them?” Rachel asked.

  “You and Kirsty go ahead, and I’ll meet you back here in half an hour,” Mrs. Walker suggested. “One of the stores is offering free makeovers.” She pointed to a nearby beauty-supply store, Beautiful You. “I thought I’d try a new look for the party we’re going to this weekend.”

  Rachel grinned. “Great idea, Mom. You can surprise Dad!”

  Mrs. Walker laughed. “See you later, girls,” she said.

  The girls were walking through the shopping mall when Kirsty suddenly gave Rachel a nudge.

  “Look!” Kirsty whispered. “It’s Jessica Jarvis!”

  Jessica was standing next to the press booth. A woman was interviewing her while a photographer snapped pictures.

  “They’re probably from the local paper,” Rachel guessed. “Oh, look, Kirsty — the fountains!”

  The girls had reached the center of the mall and, as Mrs. Walker had said, the fountains were spectacular. The central fountain was in the middle of a large, clear blue pool. It shot a sparkling jet of water almost as high as the mall ceiling. Around the big fountain was a circle of smaller fountains that sprayed water every so often. There was a cascading waterfall at one end of the pool, and the whole area was surrounded by huge pots of tropical flowers in vivid shades of red and orange.

  “It’s gorgeous!” Kirsty exclaimed as she and Rachel paused by the edge of the pool.

  Suddenly, the small fountain closest to them sprayed a burst of water. The girls jumped in surprise as they felt a few drops splash their faces.

  Then Kirsty glanced up and noticed a tiny, bright sparkle on top of the fountain.

  “Rachel,” she whispered, pointing upward. “Look! What’s that?”

  “I’m not sure,” Rachel whispered back. “Could it be . . . a fairy?”
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br />   As Rachel and Kirsty watched, the sparkle swirled down from the top of the fountain. It floated toward one of the pots and landed on a trumpet-shaped scarlet flower. Now the excited girls could see that the sparkle really was a tiny fairy.

  “Kirsty, it’s Phoebe the Fashion Fairy!” Rachel gasped as she recognized their old friend.

  Phoebe stood on tiptoe on one of the flower petals, waving her wand. “Hello, girls,” she called in her sweet voice. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”

  “Hello, Phoebe!” Kirsty smiled at her. “How are you, and how are all the other Party Fairies?”

  “Everyone in Fairyland is fine, and they’re all hoping to see you very soon,” Phoebe replied, her eyes twinkling. “That’s why I’m here, to invite you to come back to Fairyland with me!”

  Rachel and Kirsty were thrilled.

  “A big fashion show is taking place in the grand hall of the Fairyland Palace,” Phoebe explained. “It’s been organized by my seven helpers, the Fashion Fairies. Would you like to come?”

  “Yes, please!” Kirsty and Rachel said together, sounding so eager that Phoebe laughed. She flitted out of sight behind the fountain, and the girls rushed to join her. With one wave of Phoebe’s wand, a cloud of glittering fairy magic surrounded Rachel and Kirsty. It turned them into fairies and gently carried them away to Fairyland.

  Just a few seconds later, Phoebe, Rachel, and Kirsty arrived in the grand hall of the royal palace. King Oberon and Queen Titania were seated on their golden thrones, and the other fairies were sitting around a long catwalk, waiting for the fashion show to begin.

  “Phoebe brought Kirsty and Rachel!” called Amber the Orange Fairy, and there were whoops of delight.

  “Welcome, girls!” said Pearl the Cloud Fairy.

  “We’re so glad you could join us,” India the Moonstone Fairy added.

  Phoebe escorted a smiling Rachel and Kirsty over to the king and queen.

  “Girls, we’re thrilled to have you with us again!” King Oberon declared.

  “The Fashion Fairies always put on a fabulous show,” Queen Titania told them. “Phoebe, why don’t you introduce Rachel and Kirsty to your helpers?”

  Phoebe nodded. She led the girls over to the front row of the audience, where seven fairies were seated.

  “Girls, meet Miranda the Beauty Fairy, Claudia the Accessories Fairy, Tyra the Designer Fairy, Alexa the Fashion Reporter Fairy, Jennifer the Hairstylist Fairy, Brooke the Photographer Fairy, and Lola the Fashion Show Fairy,” Phoebe said, pointing her wand at each fairy in turn.

  “Hello, girls!” the Fashion Fairies called. Rachel and Kirsty could see that each fairy had an object that shimmered with magic. Miranda held a golden tube of lipstick, Claudia wore a long necklace with many charms, Tyra had a tape measure, Alexa had a pen, Jennifer had a hairbrush, and Brooke carried a camera. The seventh fairy, Lola, had a special backstage pass with a ribbon that went around her neck.

  “With the help of our magical objects, we look after all kinds of fashion in both the human and the fairy worlds,” Miranda the Beauty Fairy explained. She had light brown hair and wore cropped jeans, a pink top, and a blue jacket with a furry collar.

  Suddenly, there was a fanfare of trumpets. Bertram the frog footman stepped out from behind the magnificent velvet curtains.

  “It’s time for the fashion show to begin!” he announced with a bow.

  Rachel and Kirsty hurried to take their places next to the king and queen. Meanwhile, Phoebe stepped up onto the catwalk.

  “Our very first model is Ruby the Red Fairy,” Phoebe announced. Rachel and Kirsty clapped loudly. Ruby was their oldest friend, the very first fairy they’d met on their trip to Rainspell Island.

  There was a round of applause as Ruby stepped out from behind the curtains. She looked beautiful in a red silk dress with a full skirt that swirled around her ankles.

  Rachel and Kirsty watched as Ruby walked to the end of the catwalk and twirled. But at that moment, a freezing ice bolt zoomed from the back of the hall and crackled over their heads. The girls covered their mouths in horror as the ice bolt crashed onto the catwalk. Ruby gave a little scream. Then, to everyone’s amazement, Ruby’s dress turned from red to a pale icy-blue color.

  “What’s happening?” Rachel gasped. “Ruby’s dress changed color, and look! A picture appeared on her skirt!”

  Kirsty stared at the picture. “I don’t believe it!” she said shakily. “Rachel, it’s a picture of Jack Frost!”

  Rachel, Kirsty, and the fairies watched, shocked, as Ruby stared down at her dress in disbelief. Suddenly, Jack Frost appeared at the back of the hall, riding on an ice bolt. He hurtled toward the catwalk, a smug grin on his frosty face. He was followed by a gaggle of goblins.

  “What’s Jack Frost up to now?” Kirsty whispered to Rachel as he jumped off the ice bolt and onto the catwalk.

  “And what’s he wearing?” Rachel murmured, hardly able to believe her eyes.

  Jack Frost was dressed in an ice-blue jacket with enormous shoulder pads. He wore clunky, unlaced boots and tight leggings with a star pattern. The goblins were also wearing strange, mismatched outfits. One wore a top hat and a pair of blue shorts, while another sported a blue jacket with a bow tie and a blue T-shirt.

  “Clear the catwalk!” Jack Frost shouted, glaring at Ruby and Phoebe. “The style king is here!”

  The goblins applauded as Jack Frost paraded up and down the catwalk.

  “Our outfits are from a stylish new fashion label called Ice Blue,” Jack Frost declared. “And guess what? All the clothes are designed by ME!”

  “But you’re not a fashion designer, Jack Frost!” Tyra the Designer Fairy said in horror.

  Jack Frost shot her an icy glare. “We’ll see about that!” he declared. “I know all about fashion, and I’m so handsome, I want everyone to look like me.” He strutted along the catwalk, pausing every few steps to make an awkward pose. “Soon every single human and all the fairies will ONLY wear clothes by Ice Blue. Just think how stylish everyone will be!”

  Rachel and Kirsty glanced at each other in dismay as the goblins went wild. Then Queen Titania stood up.

  “This is all very silly, Jack Frost,” the queen said sternly. “But you’re welcome to stay and watch our fashion show if you’ll turn Ruby’s dress red again.”

  “I don’t think so!” Jack Frost sneered. Raising his wand, he sent an ice bolt flying straight toward Queen Titania. Bertram sprang up to defend her, but he couldn’t stop Jack Frost’s spell. The queen’s golden crown vanished and was replaced by a blue wool hat with a huge pom-pom on top.

  “How dare you, Jack Frost!” scolded King Oberon, looking very upset. He jumped to his feet as Bertram helped the queen remove the silly hat. “You’ve gone too far this time.”

  “And I’m not finished yet!” Jack Frost cackled. He pointed his ice wand at the seven Fashion Fairies in the front row. Instantly, a flurry of ice bolts zoomed toward them. Rachel and Kirsty watched helplessly as Jack Frost’s magic swept all of the Fashion Fairies’ magical objects away, even lifting Claudia’s necklace and Lola’s backstage pass over their heads.

  The goblins roared with laughter as the objects flew across the catwalk and into Jack Frost’s enormous pockets.

  “Now that I have all the Fashion Fairies’ magic, I’m off to Tippington to win the charity fashion show!” Jack Frost announced. “Then soon everyone, everywhere will be wearing my beautiful Ice Blue clothes!”

  “Wait!” King Oberon shouted.

  But Jack Frost waved his wand. Then he and his goblins disappeared in an icy-blue mist.

  “This is terrible!” Miranda the Beauty Fairy said. “Our fashion show is ruined!”

  “Nothing will go right now,” Lola the Fashion Show Fairy agreed, biting her lip.

  “That means the ch
arity fashion show in the human world will be a disaster, too,” Claudia the Accessories Fairy pointed out. “In fact, fashion everywhere will be ruined unless we get our magical objects back!”

  “Rachel and I can help!” Kirsty said, her eyes shining with determination.

  “We’ll do our best to find all the magical objects,” Rachel promised.

  “Girls, you are coming to our rescue once again,” Queen Titania said gratefully. “Thank you for being such loyal friends.”

  “Miranda the Beauty Fairy will return to Tippington Fountains with you,” King Oberon told Rachel and Kirsty. “Good luck with your search.”

  “Good luck!” the fairies all cried. Miranda waved her wand, and the girls returned to their human size. With another flick of Miranda’s wand, the three vanished in a cloud of fairy magic.

  “It’s almost time to meet my mom at Beautiful You,” Rachel said as they arrived back at the fountains. “We can look for Miranda’s magic lipstick on the way.”

  Miranda nodded and hid inside Kirsty’s denim purse.

  Quickly, the girls retraced their steps through the mall. There were lots of people around, and Rachel wondered how they would spot the missing lipstick in the enormous crowd. But then she remembered what Queen Titania always said: “Let the magic come to you.”

  The Beautiful You shop was very busy. Through the windows, Rachel and Kirsty could see lots of women sitting on stools at the makeup counters, getting makeovers.

  “There’s my mom,” Rachel said, spotting the back of her mother’s head. A girl in a short-sleeved white smock was applying blush to Mrs. Walker’s cheeks with a large, fluffy brush.

  Rachel and Kirsty went into the shop, and Miranda stayed out of sight. Beautiful You was filled with shelves of all kinds of makeup in every color imaginable. The girls looked closely at the different lipsticks as they passed by, but none of them shimmered with fairy magic.