Hillary to the Rescue (Carolrhoda Picture Books)

Hillary

to the Rescue Kathy Caple

t C A R O L R H O DA B O O K S , I N C . / M I N N E A P O L I S

To Mom, who showed us how to be prepared

Text and illustrations copyright © 2000 by Kathy Caple All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of Carolrhoda Books, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review. Carolrhoda Books, Inc. A division of Lerner Publishing Group 241 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A. Website address: www.lernerbooks.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Caple, Kathy. Hillary to the rescue / Kathy Caple. p. cm. Summary: On the wintry day when her drama club has a mishap on the way to see a play in the city, Hillary is glad that she has bundled up in her warmest snow gear. eISBN 1-57505-340-3 [1. Cats—Fiction. 2. Rescues—Fiction. 3. Winter—Fiction.] I. Title. PZ7.C17368 2000 [E]—dc21 00-008020 Manufactured in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 – JR – 05 04 03 02 01 00

Hillary’s drama club was taking a trip fifty miles away to see a play in the city. “You’ll have to bundle up,” said her mother. “It’s twelve degrees outside.”

Hillary knew just what to wear. First, long underwear. Over that, wool pants, a turtleneck, two wool sweaters, snow pants, heavy socks, a parka, a thick wool hat, two scarves, mittens, and finally, her Super-Duper Below-Zero Snow Walkers.

Hillary liked to be prepared.

HONK! HONK!

A van pulled up.

“Bye, Mom!” called Hillary. The air was frosty, and it was starting to snow. But Hillary felt snug and warm. Scrunch, scrunch, scrunch. Hillary’s boots made a path through the snow. She climbed into the van and off they went.

“Gee, Hillary. Did you think we were going by horse and sleigh?” asked Marcie. “This is a heated van,” said Ginny. “You’ll roast.”

It was really warm in the van. Hillary pulled off her hat and mittens and unwound both scarves. Still too warm. She took off her parka and the extra sweater. Finally, off came her Super-Duper Below-Zero Snow Walkers.

“Hillary’s clothes take up more room than she does,” said Oliver. “Did you bring something nice to change into?” asked Marcie. “Everybody is going to be dressed up.”

“I didn’t think of that,” said Hillary. She turned and stared out the window.

Ginny’s dad drove out into the country. They passed one farm and then another.

It began to snow harder.

Before long, they could barely see the road.

They started down a hill. SWISH! The van hit a patch of ice. It skidded…

left…

then right…

then…

KERCHUNK! KERCHUNK! KERCHUNK! They slid off the road and into a ditch.

Luckily, no one was hurt. But the van was stuck in a snowbank. “What are we going to do?” said Ginny.

“There’s a house at the top of the hill,” said Ginny’s dad. “We can go there for help.”

Marcie looked at her shiny black shoes. Oliver buttoned the only two buttons on his coat and shivered. Ginny wished she’d worn more than a thin pair of tights.

Not even Ginny’s dad was dressed for the weather.

Everyone turned and looked at Hillary. “All right. I’ll go,” she said.

Hillary put on her extra sweater. Then she put on her parka, her two scarves, and her hat and mittens. Finally, she pulled on her Super-Duper Below-Zero Snow Walkers.

Hillary pushed open the door of the van and stepped out. It was even colder than it had been that morning, but she felt as warm as toast.

She started up the driveway. A gust of wind knocked her sideways. But her Super-Duper Below-Zero Snow Walkers gripped the snow, and she did not stop.

The driveway was long and seemed as steep as a mountain. The snow swirled faster and drifts piled up. But Hillary kept going. She had to make it. Everyone was depending on her.

Finally, Hillary reached the house. She banged on the door, and a woman answered. “Please help!” said Hillary. “My friends are in a van at the bottom of the hill. They’re stuck.” “My goodness!” said the woman. “Come on in.”

“You wait here. I’ll get my jeep,” she told Hillary.

Hillary took off her snow-caked clothes and waited by the fire. Finally, the jeep pulled up.

There was a blast of cold air as everyone stomped into the house. “The radio said the roads are closing,” said the woman. “You’d better plan on spending the night here. We’ll take care of the van in the morning. By the way, my name is Midge.”

Everyone took turns calling home to explain.

“It’s too bad you missed the play,” said Midge. “Let’s put on our own play,” said Hillary.

They called the play “Daring Rescue.” They were explorers, stranded high on a mountain in a snowstorm. It was up to the hero, wearing Hillary’s Super-Duper Below-Zero Snow Walkers, to save them. Everyone took turns being the hero.

Help!

We ’ r e l o st

I see cabin ! the

Grab th e and ro p e g h a n on.

Safe a t l a st .

“Bravo!” said Midge when the play was over. “That was wonderful!” Ginny’s dad agreed.

Everyone was starving, so they roasted hot dogs over the fire. Then they stretched out on the floor and went to sleep.

“Good news!” said Ginny’s dad the next morning. “The roads are clear and the van is ready to go.” “It’s still mighty cold out there,” said Midge. “I can’t let you go dressed like that.”

Midge led them upstairs to the attic. “I have some extra winter things here from my children and grandchildren,” she said. Some of the clothes didn’t quite match.

“Say cheese!” said Midge as she snapped a picture.

“Thank you and good-bye!” everyone called as they drove away.

“Next time I’ll bring my own winter gear,” said Marcie on the way home. “And I’m going to ask my parents for a pair of Super-Duper Below-Zero Snow Walkers.” Hillary smiled and said, “You never know when they might come in handy.”