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KIRSTEN MCDONALD
AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Carlos and Carmen: The Sparkly Night
Summary: It's the Fourth of July, and that means lots of fun, flags, and fireworks for the Garcia family. Unfortunately, those fireworks are a problem for Mamá and Carlos because neither of them likes the loud booms and cracks that come with the sparkles. Readers of all ages will laugh when they see how Carlos and Carmen figure out a way for everyone to enjoy the sparkly night.
Word Count: 1000 words
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Chapter One: Fun with Flags
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Carlos and Carmen ran through their front yard. Their arms were full of Fourth of July flags. Their eyes were full of Fourth of July excitement. And their heads were full of Fourth of July plans.
“I love the Fourth of July,” said Carmen. She stood a flag up beside the walkway.
“Watermelon is my favorite part,” said Carlos. He stood up a flag on the other side of the walkway.
“Yo también,” said Carmen. “I love the crunchy pink part of the sandía.”
“I love the sweet part in the middle of the sandía,” said Carlos.
The twins were busy talking about watermelons. They were busy decorating with flags. They were so busy that they did not notice Spooky running. They did not notice Spooky batting. And they did not notice Spooky pouncing.
When the twins turned around, the flags were scattered everywhere.
“What happened to the banderas?” asked Carlos.
“It looks like a big viento blew through here,” said Carmen.
Carlos picked up one of the flags. “There are pequeñito tooth marks on this bandera,” he said.
Carmen picked up a different flag. “And there are pequeñito claw marks on this bandera,” she said.
Carmen looked at Carlos. Carlos looked at Carmen.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking,” they asked. And because they were twins, they were.
“Let’s go get that whiskered wind,” said Carmen.
“And let’s put that furry viento inside,” said Carlos.
“Then we can really decorate for the Fourth of July,” added Carmen.
Chapter Two: A Noisy Problem
Chapter Three: A Juicy Solution
Chapter Four: Smiles and Sparkles