Fran Manushkin - Stocking Up for the Storm

Katie was watching TV.

A storm is coming, said the weather lady. A big one!

Wowzee! yelled Katie.

The storm may last for days, said Katies dad. We need lots of food.

Katie agreed. Lots of cookies!

Katies mom made a list. We need milk and cheese and meat and fruit.

And cookies, reminded Katie.

The grocery store was crowded. Katie said hi to JoJo and Pedro.

Dont worry, Mr. Nelson told Katie. Ive stocked up on everything.

Katie found the milk in the section. She found chicken in the meat section.

Good work, Katie! said her dad.

Katie told her mom, We need tomato soup too. If the storm is scary, tomato soup will cheer me up.

Cookies and ice cream cheer me up too, said Katie. Lets get both. Dad has a , so we dont have to pay.

I do have to pay, said Katies dad. I must pay when I get the credit card bill.

Oh, said Katie.

These cookies are on sale, said Katie. Can we get them?

Yes, said her mom. Smart shopper!

Haley OHara and her five brothers and sisters ran into the store. They bumped into a tower of toilet paper.

CRASH!

Wow! shouted Haley. Im glad it wasnt grape juice. Lets pile it up again.

Cool! said Katie. Its like making a snowman.

Miss Winkle came in.

She told Katie, I need food for my new puppy. His name is Twinkle.

Katie smiled. He with you.

Twinkle hates storms, said Miss Winkle. He hides under the bed.

Oh, said Katie. I hope I dont need to hide under the bed!

Katie joined JoJo and Pedro at the checkout line.

We got a lot of hot , said Pedro.

I got , said JoJo. Its fun to eat!

Back home, Katie watched the wild wind shaking the trees.

She said, I hope the birds nests dont fall down.

Katie decided, I need tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner. And a cookie for dessert.

It all tasted great!

I hope my friends are okay, said Katie. She called JoJo.

Im painting. You should see the storm I made, said JoJo. Its !

Pedro was loving his hot chocolate.

Haley and her wild brothers and sisters were making an angel food cake.

The storm went on for a long time. But everyone in Katies was safe and cozy.

Katie fell asleep with a smile. She dreamed that Mr. Nelson and his family were cozy too.

And it was true!

(CHOK-uh-lit) a food, especially a candy, made from beans that grow on the tropical cacao tree (KRED-it KARD) a small, plastic card used in stores and restaurants to pay for items. Later, a bill is sent by the credit card company for all purchases made that month. (DAIR-ee) if something is a dairy product, it is made with milk (FIHRSS) bold and confident (NAY-bur-hud) a smaller area within a city or town where people live and work (RIME) if words rhyme, they end with similar sounds (spuh-GET-ee) long, thin strands of pasta made of flour and water and cooked by boiling

1. Explain why Katies family and others went to the grocery store to stock up on food and supplies. Has your family ever done this?
2. Why do you think grocery stores organize items in sections, like dairy or meat? What would happen if items werent organized?
3. Imagine a big storm was headed your way. Make a list of things you would need.
4. Mr. Nelson runs Katies neighborhood grocery store, and he works with lots of people to make sure things run smoothly. Make a list of all the different types of jobs at a grocery store.
5. Would you like to work at a grocery store? Why or why not?