by Jill Diamond
“Bravo! Bravo!” shouted the crowd when she was done. Lou Lou and Pea cheered and whistled.
“I guess her new stunt is a one-foot-drag, hat switch, around-the-world, belly-flip combo,” Lou Lou said, and Pea smiled.
Performance after performance followed. There was the Sugar Mountain Sisters’ Shimmy danced by Danielle Desserts, her snooty-girl posse, and four Verde Valley girls, all wearing head-to-toe pink. Lou Lou wasn’t a fan of the Sugar Mountain Sisters, but she had to admit the dance was pretty good. Pea’s cousin Magdalena and her friends did a hula-hoop routine, high school choruses accompanied by their marching bands sang a song called “Todos Somos Amigos,” and kindergartners handed out paper flowers and tamarindo candy, Lou Lou and Pea’s favorite. Danny from La Frutería juggled mangoes, and Lou Lou’s dad did a nautical-knot-tying demonstration. String quartets from two different neighborhoods performed a Bicentennial piece together.
“Do two quartets equal an eightet?” Lou Lou asked.
“I think it’s an octet,” replied Pea.
Kyle and Tommy weren’t able to get their space goats to follow instructions, but they earned plenty of laughs when Jupiter ate his own helmet, as well as Mars Rover’s, Mercury’s, and Pluto’s.
During a break before the closing ceremony, Lou Lou and Pea found Jeremy who was busy handing out fresh, delicious killer caracoles to the crowd. A cardboard crown with fake plastic jewels was perched on his red spiky head. On the front, in marker, were the words Killer Caracoles King.
“I suppose you expect us to call you Royal Highness,” Lou Lou said.
“Naw,” replied Jeremy. “Your Majesty will do just fine.” Lou Lou and Pea laughed. “You’re just in time. I have two caracoles left,” Jeremy said. “I’m running out because they’ve been so popular. Monsieur Bonsoir from Verde Valley Bistro even asked if I’d consider an internship as a pastry chef this summer!”
“That’s great!” Pea said.
Lou Lou broke one of the caracoles in half. “We can split this one and leave the other for someone else. Tonight is all about sharing, after all!”
Pea smiled. “Estoy orgullosa de ti,” she said. Lou Lou gave Pea a blank stare. “I’m proud of you,” Pea translated. “For being so thoughtful,” she added. Lou Lou grinned.
A drumroll sounded the time for the closing ceremony. Lou Lou and Pea joined their families to watch. Pea straightened Blue Beauty on her head, and Lou Lou did the same with Pride of Pinky.
The crowd grew quiet as Mayor Montoya took the stage. It was twilight now, and the park was lit with the glowing Celebrar candles.
“¡Gracias a todos por venir a celebrar nuestro Bonanza de Bicentenario! Thank you, everyone, for coming to celebrate our Bicentennial Bonanza!” the mayor said. The crowd in La Fuente Park clapped. “And thank you also to the organizers and hosts from both El Corazón and Verde Valley,” Mayor Montoya added to the sound of more enthusiastic clapping.
Lou Lou saw the Sammy’s Gazebo Delivery truck waiting near the far side of the park and she hit her forehead with her palm.
“The gazebo, Pea!” she said. “Where will it go? In La Fuente Park or in Limonero Park? In Verde Valley or El Corazón?” Lou Lou had been so caught up in the day’s events that she’d completely forgotten to consider which neighborhood would get the gazebo. But one thing was certain, it definitely wasn’t going in the Argyles’ backyard.
“I don’t know—” Pea started.
“El Corazón has to get it back,” replied Lou Lou. “It’s only fair!”
“If we’re getting it back, why is Sammy here in Verde Valley?” Pea asked. The mayor glanced at the truck and leaned toward the microphone. “I think we’re about to find out.” Pea answered her own question.
“There have been so many wonderful things about this day,” Mayor Montoya said. “The delicious caracoles, the lovely honeysuckle, the amazing performances, the beautiful hats.” Pea looked thrilled at the compliment.
“But the best thing of all,” Mayor Montoya continued, “has been the display of friendship among all the neighborhoods in our city. Because of this, we will not be going forward with the gazebo as previously planned.”
The crowd went silent and Lou Lou’s heart sank. No gazebo for PSPP tea, kazoo concerts, and ice cream eating?
But Mayor Montoya wasn’t finished. “Instead, we will put gazebos in both Limonero Park and La Fuente Park, as well as in every other neighborhood in our city!”
Lou Lou could hardly believe her ears. Everyone was getting a gazebo! The crowd’s hush changed to a roar and Lou Lou and Pea jumped up and down, nearly losing their hats. They hugged their parents and Abuela Josie, and before they knew it, Jeremy and Rosa were there to celebrate along with them. Sarah unfurled the THANK YOU FOR THE GAZEBO!/¡GRACIAS POR EL MIRADOR! banners, Kyle’s space goats ran in excited circles around the crowd, and Mr. Vila joined the happy fray.
“This news is great great!” he yelled.
From the stage, Mayor Montoya cried, “Let’s hold up our hats and say cheers to the past two hundred years!”
“Cheers!” cried everyone, taking off their hats and waving them in the air.
“This has to be the best Bicentennial Bonanza ever,” Pea said, and Lou Lou couldn’t agree more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
PSPP
It was Friday afternoon and Lou Lou and Pea were exactly where they wanted to be—enjoying PSPP honeysuckle tea and caracoles in the gazebo in Limonero Park. Lou Lou took a sip from her teacup and looked around appreciatively.
“It really is very beautiful,” she said of the ornate wooden gazebo covered in colorful paintings of shapes, flowers, and animals. “Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?” Lou Lou added politely.
Pea reached out to adjust Lou Lou’s hat before putting on her own. Wearing hats was Lou Lou and Pea’s new favorite PSPP tradition, and Pea was constantly crafting designs. When she was satisfied that the hats were perched at the correct angles, Pea leaned back and took a little bite of her caracol. She chewed slowly, with her mouth closed.
“Yes, it’s lovely,” said Pea. She ran her fingers over a golden plaque on the gazebo that read:
BICENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY BONANZA GAZEBO
Dedicated to Peacock Pearl, Lou Lou Bombay, Jeremy Ruiz & Comet Cop Kyle Longfellow
“I still can’t believe the mayor dedicated it to us.”
“I know! So amazing!” Lou Lou thought back to Mayor Montoya’s announcement after the Bonanza that the Limonero Park gazebo would be dedicated to Lou Lou and Pea. Pea had insisted that Jeremy and Kyle also be included, though she’d avoided mentioning their role in the Diary Mission just in case it caused trouble for Kyle.
“So Ranchero Park in Centro Circle this weekend?” Pea asked.
“Definitely,” Lou Lou replied. “That’s the last one on our list.” Lou Lou and Pea had another new tradition. Every Sunday, their parents drove them to one of the gazebos in a different neighborhood in the city. Sometimes they brought lunch, sometimes Jeremy and Kyle tagged along, and there were always caracoles. Jeremy’s killer caracoles were in serious demand these days, but he always had a few extras for Lou Lou and Pea.
Lou Lou and Pea sipped their tea in silence, lost in their thoughts. Lou Lou gazed at her honeysuckle and remembered the days leading up to the Bonanza. It had been a rocky road, but everything turned out wonderfully at the end. At least for everyone but the Argyles. Lou Lou and Pea hadn’t seen Andy or Amanda since that day. Lou Lou wondered what had happened to them. Despite all the Argyles’ devious deeds, she hoped they were okay. Lost in her thoughts, Lou Lou almost didn’t hear the voice coming from the gazebo’s arched opening.
“Um, excuse me.” A face peered in at Lou Lou and Pea. Lou Lou sprang to her feet, overturning her cup and feeling heat rise in her ears. Pea’s blue eyes went wide and she nearly dropped her caracol. It was none other than Amanda Argyle. Her hair was in long braids as always, and she was wearing an orange-and-red matching skirt and vest in her usual d
iamond print. But something was different—her excuse me didn’t sound sarcastic or mean.
“May we help you?” Pea asked nicely but with a touch of caution in her voice.
“Actually, you can.” Amanda stepped into the gazebo. She was holding a large bag, but Lou Lou couldn’t see what was inside. Amanda wasn’t smirking and she didn’t look smug. Instead, she seemed a bit nervous.
“How exactly can we help you?” Lou Lou asked less politely than Pea. She righted her teacup.
“I was hoping you would let me apologize,” Amanda said. This time, Pea was surprised enough to actually drop her caracol, and Lou Lou knocked over her cup again.
“Apologize?” Lou Lou asked, not quite believing her red ears.
“Yes.” Amanda looked at her feet, then back up at Lou Lou and Pea. “I know what my dad and I did was wrong. You were right when you said that I don’t have any friends. I felt sad and jealous every time I saw best friends like you two and, well, I guess it made me act mean.”
“That’s for sure,” Lou Lou said. Pea nudged her gently. “I’m sorry. Go on.”
“After the truth came out at the caracoles contest, I hid across the street from La Fuente Park to watch the Bonanza. I saw how all the people from different neighborhoods were able to become friends and work together. I want to make new friends, too, ones who will laugh at my jokes, bring balloons to my birthday parties, and go with me to Cupcake Cabana on Saturdays.”
Pea looked at Lou Lou and raised her eyebrows. Lou Lou sighed, but then nodded and smiled.
“Amanda, we accept your apology,” Pea said. “Would you like to sit with us and have a caracol?”
Amanda brightened. “I’d love to!” Her eyes lit up. “But I can’t stay long. Maybe just a quick bite or two?” Amanda sat down on the bench that ringed the inside of the gazebo and Pea handed her a pastry. “This is yummy,” she said as she nibbled on the end.
“Jeremy made them,” said Lou Lou.
“Can you please tell him that I’m sorry, too?” Amanda asked.
“Of course,” answered Pea.
Amanda finished her caracol and licked the crumbs off her lips. “Before I go home, I wanted to give you this.” Amanda took a pale blue box out of her bag. Lou Lou recognized it right away. It was Pea’s hatbox, and inside was Pea’s original blue hat that Amanda had snatched at the Heliotrope. She gave Pea the hat, and Pea turned it around in her hands. The bow was a little squished, but otherwise it was fine.
“I thought that having pretty hats might make people like me, but I see now that’s not true. I should never have taken it from you,” Amanda said.
“I’d like you to keep it,” Pea said, much to Lou Lou’s surprise. She handed the hat back to Amanda, whose jaw dropped. “It looks good on you,” Pea added. “It still needs a name, though. How about Amigas de Amanda? Then, whenever you wear it, you’ll be reminded of the two new friends you just made.”
“I … I don’t know what to say,” Amanda replied. “Thank you! See you soon, I hope?”
“¡Hasta pronto!” said Pea. “Please do join us for PSPP again.”
“I’ll bring three teacups next time,” added Lou Lou.
“I would love that,” said Amanda. “And maybe I can take you up on your offer to go to Cupcake Cabana with me. My treat.” She smiled, put Amigas de Amanda on her head, and bounded down the gazebo steps.
Lou Lou turned to Pea. “Wow, that was unexpected!” Pea nodded. “You were so kind to her, Pea. It was really amazing,” Lou Lou said.
“Being kind is always in style,” Pea replied with one of her fashion quotes.
“Who said that?” Lou Lou asked.
“Peacock Pearl, of course.” Pea winked one bright blue eye.
PEA’S
Perfectly Marvelous Paper Hats
MATERIALS
• Paper bowls
• Paper plates (Pea had to clean caracol crumbs off Lou Lou’s plate before starting.)
• Scissors (Be sure to have an adult help you when cutting materials for your hat!)
• Watercolors or other non-toxic craft paints
• Glue
• Ribbon, at least ½ inch wide and about 24 inches long (Pea chose blue for herself and a floral pattern for Lou Lou, but you should use your favorite pattern or color!)
• Optional decorations, like feathers, sequins, glitter, buttons, dried flowers, stamps, and so on!
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Turn your paper bowl upside down. Paint the bottom of the bowl with the colors of your choice. Set the bowl aside to dry. (This will become the crown of your hat.)
2. Next, use your scissors to cut the center out of your paper plate to make a ring of the plate’s edge approximately 1½ to 2 inches wide. (This will become the brim of your hat.) Later, you will place this ring over the upside-down bowl, so be sure the hole you’ve cut out is big enough to fit over the bowl, but not so big that the bowl falls through it. And don’t forget to have an adult help you use the scissors.
3. Paint both sides of the paper plate ring with the same colors you used for your bowl—or with different colors, if you’re feeling fashionably daring! Pea loves mixing and matching. Set the ring aside to dry.
4. When both your bowl and plate ring are dry, it’s time to assemble your hat! Start by propping your bowl up, either by placing crumpled newspaper under it or by putting it atop a stack of other bowls.
5. Next, spread glue around the rim of your upside-down bowl.
6. Then lower the painted plate ring over the bowl and gently press down to help the glue seal it all the way around. You’ve just attached the brim to the crown of your hat. Enjoy a snack while it dries!
7. Finally, it’s time to decorate. First, glue your ribbon around the base of your crown to cover the seam between the crown and the brim of your hat. You can tie a bow in the back with any extra ribbon.
8. Add other design elements you might want, such as feathers (for Pea), sequins (for Ella Divine), or dried flowers (for Lou Lou). Set your perfectly marvelous hat aside one last time to dry.
Now it’s fashion-show time! Wear your hat for PSPP or on a sunny stroll in the park with friends.
LOU LOU & PEA’S
Words to Know in Spanish
Note: Nouns in Spanish carry genders. Sometimes, one noun has two different genders to reflect the subject in question. If the suffix is an a, then it’s a female noun. If it’s an o, then it’s a male noun.
abuela – grandmother
adiós – goodbye
almuerzo – lunch
amiga / amigo – female friend / male friend mi amiga / mi amigo – my friend
año(s) – year(s)
artista – artist or performer
azucar – sugar
bien / buena / bueno – well or good
bienvenidas – welcome
bisabuela – great-grandmother
bonita – beautiful
buenas noches – good evening or good night
buenas tardes – good afternoon
calaveras – sugar skulls
camelia – camellia
cena – dinner
chicas / chicos – girls / boys
claro – of course
cómo estás (tú) / cómo está (usted)? – how are you?
de nada – you’re welcome
desayuno – breakfast
fácil – easy
flor(es) – flower(s)
gata / gato – cat
gracias – thank you
harina – flour
hasta luego – see you later!
hola – hello
hoy – today
huevos – eggs
ingrediente – ingredient
intuición – intuition
lista / listo – ready
lo siento – I’m sorry
luz – light
mamá – mother
mañana – tomorrow
&
nbsp; mantequilla – butter
maravillosa / maravilloso – marvelous
mascota – pet
mejor – better
mija / mijo – my dear, or my child
mucha(s) / mucho(s) – many, a lot
muy bien – very good
niñas / niños – girls / boys
nosotros – we
noticias – news
orgullosa / orgulloso – proud
panadera / panadero – baker
papá – father
pasteles – pastries
perdón – excuse me
pero – but, however
perra / perro – dog
pobrecita / pobrecito – poor thing
por favor – please
preciosa / precioso – precious
prima / primo – cousin
problema – problem
quinceañera – fifteenth-birthday party
señora / señorita / señor – woman / young woman / man
sí / no – yes / no
suerte – luck
taqueria – taco shop
teléfono – telephone
tengo – I have
tía / tío – aunt / uncle
tiempo – time
tú – you, informal (friends and siblings)
último – last
usted / ustedes – you, formal (parents and adults, singular) / you, formal (parents and adults, plural)
verdad – truth
yo – I
About the Author
Jill Diamond has loved children’s literature for as long as she can remember, thanks to her school librarian mother and long, cold winters in Maine. She presently lives in San Francisco, where, when she’s not writing, she practices law and hangs out with her husband and cat.Jill is the author of the Lou Lou and Pea young readers series, including Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery. You can sign up for email updates here.
About the Illustrator
Lesley Vamos studied at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, where she earned a BA with distinction in digital media. She loves telling stories, cooking, travelling, and eating eggplant. She resides in Sydney, Australia. Lesley is the illustrator of Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery. You can sign up for email updates here.
