Alphabet Adventures

Mabel Is Terrible at Hiding!

← About this story
Julia draws a white X on the garden path and looks up at enormous Mabel.
Julia draws a chalk X on the path. "This is home. Let's play hide-and-seek!" Mabel looks at Julia. Julia looks up. And up. "You hide first." "All of me?" asks Mabel.
Julia covers her eyes while Mabel considers a little bush.

Aa — Away

Julia turns away. "I won't look." Mabel looks for somewhere to put an enormous dinosaur.
Mabel stands behind a tiny rooted bush that hides only part of her.

Bb — Bush

Bush in front. Mabel behind. Well, some of Mabel.
Julia counts with her back turned while Mabel arranges her long tail.

Cc — Count

Count slowly, Julia. Mabel is still arranging her tail. "Ready!"
Julia points at Mabel behind the small bush.

Dd — Dinosaur

"That bush has grown a dinosaur," says Julia. "A very quiet dinosaur," says Mabel.
Mabel closes her enormous eyes while Julia looks up.

Ee — Eyes

"Eyes closed?" asks Mabel. "Mine are open now," says Julia. "I could close mine."
Julia points at Mabel’s two broad feet.

Ff — Feet

"Feet," says Julia. "I can see your feet." Mabel looks down. "Oh. I forgot the bottom."
Julia and Mabel laugh together.

Gg — Giggle

A giggle shakes the bush. Then it shakes Julia. "I think you found me," says Mabel.
Julia points from the tiny bush toward much taller trees.

Hh — Hide

"Hide somewhere bigger," says Julia. Mabel looks at the very small bush. Then at the very big trees.
Mabel rests a small hand under her chin while Julia thinks.

Ii — Idea

"I have an idea," says Mabel. "Is it a big one?" "It needs to be."
Julia covers her eyes as Mabel moves between the trees.

Jj — Julia

Julia covers her eyes again. Behind her, leaves go swish. Quite a lot of leaves.
Mabel bends her large knees between two trees.

Kk — Knees

Knees bend. Mabel settles between the trees. This time, she remembers the bottom.
Leafy branches drape over Mabel’s tummy, nose and tail.

Ll — Leaves

Leaves round her tummy. Leaves round her nose. A leafy branch over her tail. Nearly perfect.
Leaf-covered Mabel opens her mouth while Julia lowers her hands.

Mm — Mabel

"I am a tree!" says Mabel. Julia lowers her hands. "Trees don't say that."
Mabel sits beside the bench, with a clear path to the white home X.

Nn — Now

"Now your turn," says Mabel. She sits beside the bench. "I'll find you from here." Julia looks round. "I've got a little idea."
Julia passes the bench while Mabel closes her eyes.

Oo — Off

Off goes Julia. Mabel closes her eyes. Julia passes the bench. Then she doubles back.
Julia crouches behind Mabel’s thick tail base; one ivory hair bow peeks out.

Pp — Peek

Julia crouches behind the thick base of Mabel's tail. Peek! One white bow shows. Mabel opens her eyes and looks past the flowers.
Julia tries to stay quiet behind the great tail wall.

Qq — Quiet

Quiet, Julia. Don't giggle. Not even a little one.
Mabel turns her head while Julia stays behind the tail.

Rr — Ready

"Ready or not!" calls Mabel. She turns her head. Julia stays very still.
Mabel looks toward the nearby tree and flowers.

Ss — Search

Search behind the tree. Search beside the flowers. Mabel's enormous nose goes this way. Then that way. The rest of Mabel stays put.
Julia crouches on the far side of Mabel’s grounded tail.

Tt — Tail

A tail makes a very good wall. On the other side of this one— Julia.
Mabel lowers her head beside the bench and peers toward one orange ball underneath.

Uu — Under

Under the bench? Mabel peers down. One ball. No Julia.
Julia presses her lips together behind Mabel’s tail.

Vv — Very

"Very good hiding," says Mabel. "Thank—" Julia clamps her lips together.
Mabel turns toward her tail while Julia bends her knees.

Ww — Where

"Where did THAT come from?" Mabel turns toward her tail. Julia bends her knees. Ready...
Julia reaches the white X on the clear path beside Mabel.

Xx — X

Julia dashes out and taps the chalk X. "Home!"
Julia and Mabel smile at each other after the hiding game.

Yy — You

"You were right behind me!" says Mabel. "Only a little bit behind," says Julia.
Julia covers her eyes for another turn while Mabel looks toward the trees.

Zz — Zoom

Zoom! Julia runs back to cover her eyes. "Your turn!" Mabel looks at the bush. Then at the trees.
Mabel stays very quiet among leafy branches, with her mouth closed.
Leaves round her tummy. Leaves round her nose. Mabel opens her mouth. Then she closes it. Shhh.

Downloads for grown-ups

The complete story to read, listen to and keep.

PDF edition ↓

EPUB edition ↓

Complete read-aloud ↓

Your reading place is saved on this browser when storage is available.