Leslie Goldman - Annes Babysitting Blues

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

Babysitting Blues

Adapted By: Leslie Goldman

A chapter book based on episode "BabysittingBlues" from Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY: Davenport Press

Anne of Green Gables*

Text Copyright 2010by Sullivan Entertainment

*Anne of Green Gablesis a trademark of Sullivan Entertainment, Inc. used under license.Anne of Green Gables is a trademark or official mark of the Anne ofGreen Gables Licensing Authority, used under license.

Your support andrespect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work offiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places,events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters areproductions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

* * * * *

Dear Parent,

The Anne of Green Gables Series was createdwith the aid of teachers to raise social and educational issuesthat will benefit young children.

Anne is a strong female character with acolorful vocabulary and a vibrant imagination. Her vocabulary levelis meant to stimulate the reading experience for young people.Inserted on the final pages of this book is a handy dictionary forclarification of certain words and expressions.

Step into Annes world and benefit from herdesire to build friendships and inspire others through herwonderful imagination and her determination to succeed!

Log on to www.learnwithanne.com and explorean educational guide, with outlines of lesson plans and discussiontopics available for teachers and parents alike.

Also check out www.annetoon.com foreducational games, activities and multimedia that bring Annescharacter and friends to life.

Chapter 1 - Gilberts Dilemma

It was a warm and sunny day on Prince EdwardIsland - the most perfect kind of day for taking pictures, orpicking apples, or dreaming about fancy parties.

Gilbert looked through his camera at Anne.Anne stood with a club raised over her head. She was in her verybest warrior pose. Her long red braids hung out of her Viking hatand her face was twisted into a fierce expression.

Thats perfect, Anne. Dont move! saidGilbert.

He adjusted his camera. The camera wasbalanced on top of a wooden board. The board lay on threebroomsticks, which were tied together with an old leather belt.Gilbert had made the tripod all by himself.

Arghhh! Hurry up! said Anne.

You cant rush a master, said Gilbert as heheld up the flash. Ill take it when you stop moving.

I assure you, I am as still as a statue!said Anne.

Gilbert looked out from under his camera. Ifyoure not moving, then whatoh no!

Gilberts tripod was tilting. He yelped anddove, and managed to catch his camera, just in time. The tripodcollapsed with a bang and a clatter and a puff of dust.

That does it! said Gilbert. I need aproper tripod.

Mr. Lawson has a perfect one for sale in thegeneral store, said Anne.

I know, but itll take another birthdayuntil I have enough money to buy it. And thats a long wait.

What you need, Gilbert, is a job, saidAnne.

Thats a good idea. Except who will hireme? he asked. Anne got back into position. But then, she andGilbert were interrupted by some loud babbling.

Look! Go! Appa! Appa! A young blond toddlerwas walking along with Rachel Lynde, who was the best friend ofAnnes adoptive mother, Marilla. He was dragging Rachel toward adisplay of shiny red apples. The apples were piled high, outsideMr. Lawsons store.

Now Timmy, dont race! warned Rachel. Herface was nearly as red as apples. She looked very tired.

Whos Timmy? asked Gilbert.

Mrs. Lyndes nephew, said Anne. Hesvisiting from High Water.

Shes sure got her hands full! saidGilbert.

Ill say. Marillas taking Rachel to a teaparty tomorrow, just to give her a break, said Anne.

Hmm, said Gilbert. He grinned, as if he hadjust thought of something really clever. And indeed, he had.

So someone will have to look after thelittle tyke. Gilbert rubbed his hands together.

Gilbert Blythe, are you thinking what Ithink youre thinking? asked Anne.

Well? Babysitting is an easy job, saidGilbert.

Suddenly, they heard a yell. They turnedtoward Mr. Lawsons store. Timmy had grabbed an apple at the bottomof the pyramid. All of the other apples spilled out onto the porchand down the steps.

Mr. Lawson hurried out to see what was goingon, and threw up his hands when he realized what happened. Timmygrinned, delighted at the scene. He giggled. He bit into the applein his hand. Rachel shook her head and apologized.

Im not sure its so easy, said Anne.

As Rachel and Mr. Lawson discussed thedamage, Timmy wandered over to Anne and Gilbert.

Now is our chance to make an impression.Come on, said Gilbert. He waved Anne back into place, and got hiscamera ready.

Gilbert snapped the picture. The flashexploded with a bang, and a long trail of smoke. Timmy lookedshocked for a second then he rubbed his eyes and burst intotears.

WHAAAAA! he screamed. Stick go boom!

Rachel ran over to comfort little Timmy.

Were very sorry, Mrs. Lynde, said Anne.We didnt think

Obviously not, Rachel interrupted. Shameon you for frightening little Timmy like that.

Rachel dried Timmys tears and carried himoff in a huff. Anne and Gilbert could do nothing but watch themgo.

Well You certainly made an impression,said Anne.

I lost my job before I even got it! groanedGilbert.

Chapter 2 - The Grand Affair

Later that afternoon, Anne sat on the porchof Green Gables. She was holding a party invitation that wasembossed with a fancy gold pattern.

Mrs. Van Hoit cordially invites you and aguest to a tea party at her home on Friday afternoon, Anne read.She pressed the card to her chest in awe and sighed.

Id simply bust if I were ever invited tosuch a grand affair.

Marilla grabbed the invitation from Anne onher way past.

Bust, would you? Then its a good thing Imtaking

Rachel Lynde. Marilla tucked the invitationinto her apron.

But didnt she get her own invitation? Anneasked.

She declined, thinking she would be toopreoccupied with little Timmy, Marilla answered, picking up thebroom to sweep the porch.

Mrs. Van Hoits house is the grandest inAvonlea, she said. She waved her hands in the air. Id giveanything to have a peak inside.

Four walls and a roof, shrugged Marilla.Its the same as any other house.

Oh Marilla. I know youre only saying thatto lighten the crushing disappointment I feel at not being able toaccompany you.

Marilla chuckled softly as she swept the dirtoff the porch.

If your greatest ambition is to set eyes onMrs. Van Hoits parlour, I have no doubt that youll one dayachieve it. Marilla rested the broom on the side of the porch. Shewiped her hands on her apron, and turned to go into the house.

Suddenly, Annes best friend, Diana, cameracing up the path toward Green Gables. She was waving a piece ofpaper in the air. My mother got an invitation to the Van Hoits!she yelled.

Marilla got one, too, said Anne.

And? said Diana, climbing the front steps.Anne sat down and rested her chin in her hand. And shes takingRachel Lynde. Diana sat down next to Anne.

My mothers taking my Aunt Josephine. Annejumped up, refusing to despair.

Then well have to imagine what its like tobe invited to the most opulent house in Avonlea.

Diana giggled. Anne plucked the invitationout of Dianas hand and pretended she had never seen it before.

Oh my! An invitation to the Van Hoits? Andguest? Why, whomever shall I bring? Anne asked, in her best, oldrich lady voice. She sighed, and pretended to struggle for theanswer.

Diana sat up straighter and raised hereyebrows.

I wonder she said.

Anne looked out into the distance, andsmiled.