Fran Manushkin - Pedro Goes Wild!

Its a sunny day, said Pedros dad. How about a hike?

Cool! said Pedro. I love the woods. We can be wild.

Dont worry about getting lost, said Pedros dad. Im a great hiker.

Good! said Pedro.

They began to walk.

These leaves are pretty, said Pedros dad. Lets pick some for Mom.

Stop! yelled Pedro. Thats .

Wow! said Pedros dad. That was scary.

Not as scary as bears, said Pedro. I hope we dont see any.

Oh boy! said his dad. If I saw a bear, I would try flying away like that crow.

Thats not a crow, said Pedro. Its a hawk.

Hes fierce! said Pedros dad.

For sure, said Pedro. Hawks like to eat rats.

Yuck! said Pedros dad. I wouldnt!

Lets run now, said Pedro.

His dad ran fast. Suddenly he yelled, STOP! I see a bear!

The bear was... a sweet, fuzzy dog!

Pedros dad laughed and laughed. So did Pedro.

Now, lets eat, said Pedros dad.

Your peanut butter sandwich is , said Pedro. Now, I need a drink.

Uh-oh! said his dad. I forgot to fill the .

Pedro asked, Dad, did you ever hike before?

His dad smiled. A long time ago.

Lets give these ants a sandwich, said Pedro.

The ants ate all of it. They didnt need a drink.

They began walking again.

Yikes! yelled Pedros dad. Something big just jumped on my leg.

He ran in a and fell in a puddle!

Its only a frog, said Pedro. It cant hurt you.

Oh my! His dad laughed. I am a hiker.

Pedro looked up at the sky.

Uh-oh, he said. A storm is coming! Lets hurry home.

We came on this path, said Pedros dad.

They began walking. It was the wrong path! started! And thunder!

Dont worry! said Pedro. I think I know the right way. But I cant run as fast as you. Can you carry me?

Sure I can, said Pedros dad. He began running.

Uphill! Then downhill! And uphill again!

Pedros dad was strong and fast. He ran like the wind.

Go, Daddy! yelled Pedro.

At home, Pedros dad said, Im sorry I didnt know much about hiking.

Pedro shook his head. Dad, you know the most important thing.

Whats that? asked Pedros dad.

You know how to have fun! said Pedro.

I do! His dad .

They hugged on it.

Fran Manushkin is the author of Katie Woo, the highly acclaimed fan-favorite early-reader series, as well as the popular Pedro series. Her other books include Happy in Our Skin, Baby, Come Out! and the best-selling board books Big Girl Panties and Big Boy Underpants. There is a real Katie Woo: Frans great-niece, but she doesnt get into as much trouble as the Katie in the books. Fran lives in New York City, three blocks from Central Park, where she can often be found bird watching and daydreaming. She writes at her dining room table, without the help of her naughty cats, Goldy and Chaim.