Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret (1) - Softcover

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 visits other worlds through writing. Wanda lives with her husband and son in San Jose, California. They have three cats: Hilda, Agnes, and Claw-dia.

Priscilla Burris has illustrated numerous books for children, parents, and teachers. She enjoys cake painting and creating art for products that include murals, greeting cards, and rubber stamps. Priscilla lives with her family in Southern California.

Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret

GROUCHY

Heidi Heckelbeck woke up in the Kingdom of Gloom.

Grouchy Land.

Grumpsville, USA.

Heidi felt like the princess of Crankypants. Because not only was it the first day of school—it was her first day of school EVER.

Heidi had never been to school before. She had always had school at home with her five-year-old brother, Henry. Mom had been their teacher. But starting today Heidi Heckelbeck would be a brand-new second grader at Brewster Elementary.



Mom popped her head into Heidi’s room. “Time to get up!” she sang.

“Merg!” growled Heidi.



She flumped her pillow on top of her face. A million questions swirled in her head. What if the teacher was mean? What if she couldn’t find her way to the bathroom? What if she sat next to a boy who picked his nose?

Heidi dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. She put on her black jean skirt with her kitty cat top. Then she wiggled into her black-and-white- striped tights and black sneakers. Not even her favorite outfit made her feel cheery. She plodded downstairs.



Mom placed a happy-face pancake in front of Heidi. It had blueberry eyes, a mouth of raspberries, and sausage eyebrows.



Heidi stuck out her tongue at her pancake.

“It’s still smiling,” said Henry.

Heidi used her fork to move the food around.

“Not anymore,” said Heidi.



“Mom!” yelled Henry. “Heidi made a mad-face pancake!”

Heidi rolled her eyes.

“You know what?” said Henry as he dipped a sausage in syrup. “You should wear pink. Pink looks friendly.”



“Pretty in pink!” added Mom with a wink.



“Wait, what’s wrong with the way I look?” said Heidi.

“Uh . . . nothing, really,” said Henry. “It’s just that your outfit kind of looks like a Halloween costume. What if you spook the other kids on your first day of school?”

“Har-dee-har-har,” said Heidi. But Henry’s comment kind of bugged her.



Heidi’s dad walked into the kitchen as he fixed his tie.

“Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!” he sang. He stopped when he saw Heidi’s unhappy face. She was not in a Disneyland mood.