Heidi Heckelbeck and the Snow Day Surprise

by Wanda Coven

  “HENRY, IT’S SNOWING!” she called, “GET UP, GET UP, GET UP!”

  Henry sat up in bed and looked out the window.

  “YAY!” he cried.

  “It’s SNOWING!” they both shouted as they headed downstairs to the kitchen.

  Dad was making his famous winter biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

  “Do we have school?” hollered Heidi.

  Mom switched on the TV. Today Missy Maplethorpe was standing beside a snowbank with her microphone.

  “Oh, what a beautiful morning, my dear Brewster!” she said cheerfully. “Winter has finally arrived—just as I promised!”

  Heidi smirked, knowing it was her spell that had brought the snow. Then she waited to hear about school.

  “Attention, Brewster students. I have a very important update. School has been canceled! It’s a snow day!” announced the weather reporter.

  Heidi and Henry hooted and danced around the kitchen table. As usual, Mom had to turn up the volume so she could hear the rest of the news.

  “The hills at the park are ready for sledding!” said Missy. “The town pond is open for ice-skating! And it’s a perfect day to play in a winter wonderland!”

  Dad set plates on the table. Heidi and Henry finally settled down to eat.

  “I want to go outside!” said Heidi.

  “Me too!” agreed Henry. “May Dudley come over?”

  Mom nodded. “Yes and yes, as soon as you finish breakfast and get ready.”

  After breakfast Heidi picked out clothes from her winter box and got dressed. The doorbell rang just as she was admiring her outfit in the mirror.

  “Heidi!” called Mom from the front door. “Bryce Beltran and Melanie Maplethorpe are here! They want you to go to the park with them!”

  Heidi froze.

  Wait, did Mom just say Melanie Maplethorpe is HERE? she wondered. At my house?

  THE SNOWFLAKE BLUES

  “Don’t you LOVE snow days?” cried Bryce. “You can catch snowflakes on your tongue!” She stuck out her tongue.

  Heidi did the same and caught a snowflake too. It was tiny and cold. Then she glanced at Melanie.

  She wasn’t even trying to catch a snowflake. She just stared at the white flakes landing on her pink mittens.

  The girls made snow tracks all the way to the park.

  “Melanie, your mom was really right about this snowstorm!” said Bryce. “She’s the absolute BEST.”

  Melanie barely nodded, but Bryce didn’t notice. She was too excited about the snow.

  Heidi noticed, though. It was like the gray cloud from yesterday was still hanging over Melanie.

  Hmm. I wonder why my snowstorm spell isn’t helping, Heidi thought.

  The girls walked through the gate and into the park. Lots of kids were already there.

  “Let’s build a snowman!” Bryce suggested. “I know the perfect spot. Follow me!”

  Heidi and Melanie tramped along behind Bryce. On the way Heidi spied Lucy and Bruce. They waved to Heidi.

  “I’ll be right back!” Heidi said as she zipped over to see them.

  “There you are!” Lucy said. “We called you this morning, but you had already left for the park with Bryce and Melanie. What’s going ON? We thought your mom was pranking us!”

  Heidi laughed.

  “They just showed up at my house this morning,” she explained. “I was pretty shocked too. And you won’t believe what else! Something’s WRONG with Melanie!”

  Lucy and Bruce giggled.

  “That’s not hard to believe!” Lucy said. “I’d say there’s A LOT wrong with Melanie.”

  But Heidi didn’t laugh. She was actually kind of worried about Melanie.

  “Seriously, you guys, something’s really off,” she said. “Melanie’s not acting like herself. She’s not bragging OR being snooty. She’s barely even talking.”

  “Well, that sounds like a change for the better!” Bruce noted. “But what I DON’T understand is how her mom was RIGHT about this snowstorm. I was sure it was going to rain.”

  “Well, even the BEST weather forecasters have good days and off days—right?!” Heidi said a little nervously.

  Lucy rolled her eyes and said, “Would you two forget about the weather forecast and just enjoy the SNOW? It’s perfect for sledding and building igloos!”

  Heidi bent down and picked up a clump of snow. Then she packed it into a ball and threw it at Bruce. Splat! It hit him in the arm.

  “It’s pretty good for SNOWBALLS, too!” she said.

  So Bruce packed his own snowball and whipped it at Heidi. The snowball sailed over her head. Heidi turned around and watched it land near Melanie. She was standing all by herself in the snow.

  Heidi turned to Lucy and Bruce.

  “Hey, I know this is going to sound really weird, but I’ve got to go!” she announced. “There’s a frosty situation that needs my help!”

  Then Heidi ran back to Melanie.

  “I wonder what’s gotten into HER?” said Lucy.

  Bruce shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe Heidi has developed a soft spot for Melanie.”

  THE SNOW JOB

  When Heidi reached Melanie, she saw that Bryce and Stanley were there too. They were building a snowman and had already rolled three snowballs for the body.

  “Will you guys help me stack these?” asked Bryce.

  Stanley leaped into action. He wrapped his arms around the middle snowball and lifted it.

  “OOMPH!” Stanley plunked the snowball on top of the base.

  Then Bryce scooped up the smaller snowball. She stood on tiptoes and placed the head on top of the snowman.

  “Ta-da!” she cried. “Now we need ARMS!”

  “Oh, there are some great sticks by those trees!” Stanley cheered.

  Bryce and Stanley ran off to find sticks for the snowman’s arms, leaving Heidi alone with Melanie.

  “So, uh, nice snow day, huh?” Heidi asked.

  “I guess,” mumbled Melanie.

  A few more moments of silence passed between the two girls until Heidi couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “Melanie,” she said, “I’m the last person you would expect to ask you this, but… is everything okay?”

  Melanie looked away and said, “What’s it to you? And what makes you think I’d tell YOU anything?”

  Heidi watched the snow fall between them. “You DON’T have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. I’m just here to listen if you need it.”

  Melanie kicked the snow in front of her. “Well, how would you like it if everyone was mad at you over a DUMB weather report?”

  Heidi shook her head. “I have no idea what that feels like. Is it hard?”

  “Yes! It’s absolutely AWFUL!” Melanie said. “And now, because it DID snow, everyone’s acting like my best friend. It makes me not want to hang out with anyone.”

  Melanie sniffled, trying to hold back tears, and wiped her face with the back of her mitten.

  Oh no! Heidi thought. My snow spell was supposed to help Melanie feel better, not worse! Now all her friends are acting like nothing big happened… but they really hurt her feelings!

  Heidi had a new idea. “If you don’t want to hang out with anyone, then why don’t we just LEAVE?”

  Melanie raised both eyebrows. “Leave? I’d love to, but we can’t just ditch Bryce and Stanley—CAN we?”

  Heidi smiled slyly. “I’ll take care of them!”

  She ran over to Bryce and Stanley and talked to them. One minute later they each gave Melanie a mitten-covered thumbs-up.

  Heidi raced back and announced, “We’re all set!”

  Melanie wrinkled her brow. “What kind of magic did you use over there?”

  “It’s not magic.” Heidi laughed. “I told them I forgot something at home, and you were going with me to get it.”

  Melanie smiled a half smile. “My mom would call that a snow job.”

  Heidi giggled. “Yup, and it totally worked.”

  SNOW AN
GELS

  At home Heidi’s mom stirred hot chocolate for the girls. Then she set a can of whipped cream and a bowl of mini marshmallows on the table.

  Melanie sprinkled lots of marshmallows on top of her hot chocolate. Then she swirled in whipped cream.

  “Wanna watch a movie?” asked Heidi, squirting some whipped cream into her mouth.

  Melanie nodded and laughed at Heidi. “Only if you’ll share that whipped cream.”

  Heidi handed the can to Melanie, who squirted a huge glob into her mouth. Then the girls carried their hot chocolate to the family room and picked out a movie.

  “Wait, we’re missing something,” Heidi said.

  Then she went to the linen closet and grabbed two puffy quilts. She offered the pink one to Melanie. The girls wrapped themselves up and watched the movie.

  As the credits rolled, Henry and Dudley tromped into the family room.

  Henry’s jaw dropped when he saw Melanie next to his sister.

  “What are YOU doing here?” he asked.

  Heidi shot a look at Henry.

  “I mean, why aren’t you guys at the park?” he corrected himself. “It’s an epic snow day!”

  Melanie sat up on the couch. “You know what? I think snow days are OVERRATED,” she said, kicking her legs out from under her quilt. “Besides, we had a great time RIGHT HERE.”

  This time Heidi’s mouth dropped open.

  But Melanie didn’t notice. Instead, she scooted off the couch and said, “I should probably get going.”

  “That’s cool. I can walk you home,” Heidi suggested.

  The girls got their jackets and boots from the mudroom and bundled up. Then they ran into the front yard.

  “You know what makes a snow day official?” Melanie asked. “Snow angels!”

  Melanie walked into the middle of the yard and lay down on her back. Then she began to sweep her arms and legs across the snow, as if she was doing jumping jacks.

  “Are you going to stand there?” Melanie asked. “Or are you going to join the fun?”

  Heidi didn’t need to be asked twice. She flopped beside Melanie and made her own.

  When they were done, the girls each wrote their initials beside their angels.

  As they traveled down the sidewalk, Melanie said, “Thanks for today. I had a good time.”

  “Me too!” said Heidi. “And I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

  Heidi knew that she might never be best friends with Melanie. But at least they could be snow angel friends today.

  Then the girls walked next to each other without saying another word. Instead, they both watched the beautiful snow falling around them.

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  Keep reading for a preview of

  Heidi Heckelbeck and the Wild Ride

  by

  Wanda Coven

  Tick-tock!

  Tick-tock!

  Tick-tock!

  Heidi and her best friend, Lucy Lancaster, stared at the clock in their classroom. Their teacher, Mrs. Welli, had given the class Choice Time until the end of the day. The girls had chosen to watch the clock.

  “Our THREE-DAY weekend starts in a few minutes!” said Heidi.

  Lucy muffled a squeal with the palm of her hand.

  Bruce Bickerson sat across from the girls. He was reading a book called All About Snakes. “What are you guys doing?” he asked.

  “We’re watching the clock until school lets out,” said Heidi without looking at him.

  “I can see that,” said Bruce. “But why?”

  This time the girls took their eyes off the clock.

  “Because we’re going to Wacky Wonders Adventure Park this weekend!” said Lucy.

  Heidi bounced in her seat. “Yeah! It has rides, games, and an INDOOR water park!”

  Lucy nodded excitedly. “Plus their Wonder Thunder roller coaster goes a hundred miles per hour AND upside down!”

  Bruce’s eyes widened. “COOL!” he said. “I’ve seen the Wacky Wonders ads on TV. Isn’t it far from here?”

  “Yeah,” said Lucy, “but that means we’re going on a ROAD TRIP!”

  Continue Reading…

  Heidi Heckelbeck and the Wild Ride

  Wanda Coven

  About the Author and Illustrator

  WANDA COVEN has always loved magic. When she was little, she used to make secret potions from smooshed shells and acorns. Then she would pretend to transport herself and her friends to enchanted places. Now she’s able to visit other worlds through writing. Wanda lives in San Jose, California, with her husband and son. They have three cats: Hilda, Agnes, and Claw-dia.

  PRISCILLA BURRIS has illustrated numerous books and materials for children, parents, and teachers. She enjoys painting cakes and creating art for products, which include murals, greeting cards, and rubber stamps! Priscilla lives with her family in Southern California.

  Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids

  www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Wanda-Coven

  www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Priscilla-Burris

  Little Simon

  Simon & Schuster, New York

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  LITTLE SIMON

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

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  First Little Simon hardcover edition August 2021

  Copyright © 2021 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  Also available in a Little Simon paperback edition.

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. LITTLE SIMON is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and associated colophon is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or business@simonandschuster.com.

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  Designed by Ciara Gay

  Jacket design by Ciara Gay

  Jacket illustrations by Priscilla Burris

  Jacket illustrations copyright © 2021 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Coven, Wanda, author. | Burris, Priscilla, illustrator.

  Title: Heidi Heckelbeck and the snow day surprise / by Wanda Coven ; illustrated by Priscilla Burris. | Description: First Little Simon paperback edition. | New York : Little Simon, 2021. | Series: Heidi Heckelbeck ; 33 | Audience: Ages 5–9 | Summary: After a week of nonstop rain, Heidi Heckelbeck and her friends’ dreams of building snowmen and ice-skating in the park are quickly washing away, until Heidi uses a little magic to help Mother Nature. | Identifiers: LCCN 2021007775 (print) | LCCN 2021007776 (ebook) | ISBN 9781534485839 (paperback) | ISBN 9781534485846 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534485853 (ebook) |Subjects: CYAC: Witches—Fiction. | Magic—Fiction. | Weather—Fiction.

  Classification: LCC PZ7.C83393 Hbs 2021 (print) | LCC PZ7.C83393 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021007775

  LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021007776

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  Wanda Coven, Heidi Heckelbeck and the Snow Day Surprise