Fran Manushkin - On Top of the World

Yay! yelled Pedro. We are finally at Family Fun Park. Lets stay all day. Its great at night too.

Pedro, Katie, and JoJo loved riding the Tilt-and-Twirl.

Spin faster! yelled Pedro.

Im dizzy! yelled Katie.

Im not, said Pedro.

Then they rode the and fast.

That was fun, said Pedro. But I want a scary ride.

Heres a wild ride, said Pedros dad. Lets try the .

Pedro watched the big wheel spinning, rising high into the sky. Hmm, he said. Maybe later.

I want cotton candy! yelled Pedros brother, Paco.

I see popcorn! said Pedro. Can we get some?

Pedros mom took Paco to get cotton candy. Pedro and his dad walked the other way to get popcorn.

The line for popcorn was very long. It took a while to get some.

Now, said Pedros dad, lets go back to your mom and the others.

They found Katie and JoJo eating ice cream with Katies mom.

Have you seen my mom and Paco? asked Pedro.

No, said Katie.

Pedro and his dad searched and searched. Finally, they found Pedros mom. She was searching too!

A parade came by, she said, and Paco got lost in the .

Ill tell the , said Katies mom.

The rest of us will keep searching, said Pedros dad. We have to hurry. It will be dark soon.

I have an idea! said Pedros dad. Lets take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. From high up, we can see the whole park. Its a fast way to find Paco.

I cant, said Pedro. Its too scary!

Pedro began walking away. But then he came back. My brother is in trouble! he said. I have to be brave.

When the wheel began spinning, Pedro held his dads hand. Up went the big wheel, higher and higher and HIGHER!

At the top, it stopped!

Yikes! yelled Pedros dad. Im not wild about this.

He closed his eyes. But Pedro kept his eyes open. There was so much to see!

Dad, Pedro yelled, open your eyes! This is fun, and I can see Paco!

Wow! Pedros dad smiled. This is !

After a few more spins, Pedro and his dad were back on the ground. Pedro led his dad to Paco.

Oh, was there hugging!

I was in a parade! bragged Paco. This park is fun!

Sometimes, said his dad.

Always! yelled Pedro. I was brave. Boy, was I brave!

Soon everyone was back together.

Before we go, said Katie, lets ride the Cannonball Roller Coaster.

Yikes! said Pedros mom. Thats highand FAST.

Dont worry, said Pedros dad. If you take Pedro, he will help you be brave.

And he did!

Fran Manushkin is the author of many popular picture books, including Happy in Our Skin; Baby, Come Out!; Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story; The Tushy Book; Big Girl Panties; Big Boy Underpants;