Jane E.M. Atkinson - Anna & Bella Princesses for a Day

Hi, Im Anna.

If youve read my other books, then you can skip this part. But if you havent, Ill need to explain a few things.

Over a year ago, I found a very special gem that whisked my sister, Bella, and me away to a magical land called Flower.

In many ways, Flower is just like our world. There are people, schools, libraries, and stores. But one thing Flower has that we dontis magic!

In Flower, there are mermaids, fairies, and even a magical family. Some of our best friends live there.

Tulip, Lily, Ivy, Rose, and Daisy These are some of our fairy friends. I just love being a fairy. You have no idea how amazing it is to fly!

Amelia, Julia, and Jack They live in the village and are regular kids like us.

Finn He lives with his magical family in Winter Woods. Bella and I know his secret (that hes magical), and were hoping hell tell our other friends soon.

Kate and Maria Theyre our mermaid friends. We always have an amazing time exploring the ocean.

Keira Shes a real princess, but dresses and acts just like Bella and me. Keiras mom, Queen Katherine, is like a second mom.

The last thing that I need to tell you is the most important thing of all, especially if youre reading this book at bedtime. I promise that you will never, ever find any mean or scary characters in my book.

So, now that youre all caught up, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the story!

Way to go, Bella! I cheer.

Summer vacation is over, and were back at school. Today, were skipping with our friends, Mackenzie, Geoff, and Kashaf.

After skipping 21 times in a row, the rope gets caught on Bellas foot.

Great jumping, Bella, Geoff says.

Thanks, Bella replies with a grin. She walks over to Kashaf and offers to take the end of the rope. Its your turn.

Kashaf shakes her head. I really dont feel like skipping right now. Someone else can go next.

Geoff waves his arm in the air and hops up and down.

Bella laughs. Let me guess. You want to go next?

I really, really do! Geoff exclaims.

Okay, up next is Geoff, Bella says in her best announcer voice.

Geoff skips 17 times in a row, but doesnt seem too happy about it. May I go one more time? Please? he pleads. My goal for today was to skip at least 20 times in a row.

We all agree, and Mackenzie and Kashaf begin to turn the rope. After Geoffs 28 th jump he has to stop because hes completely out of breath.

You did it! Mackenzie cries.

I sure did, Geoff says happily. Thanks, everyone, for letting me have another turn. He takes the rope from Mackenzie so that she can go next. After Mackenzie, its my turn.

When my turn is over, I offer to take the rope from Kashaf. Do you want to go now? I ask her.

Kashafs cheeks turn pink. I still dont feel like skipping. Bella can have another turn.

Bella eagerly takes her position beside the rope and begins to skip. Every time she hops over the rope, her braids fly up into the air. She grins in my direction, and I give her a double-clap and a thumbs-up. Shes skipping really well today.

Out of the corner of my eye, something shiny catches my attention. Its on the ground, beside my sneaker. My heart immediately starts pounding in my chest because the shiny thing is a gema sparkly pink Flower gem! I crouch down and reach for it. I cant wait for our next magical adventure to begin.

As soon as I touch the gem, my fingers heat up and begin to tingle. Before I know it, Im zooming through a multi-coloured pink slide. Flashes of bubble-gum pink, light pink, hot pink, deep pink, and raspberry whiz past me.

After about ten seconds, I shoot out the end of the slide and land in a pile of warm, white sand. Hovering above me is a tiny fairy, dressed in pink.

Its Tulip!

Watch out, Anna, Tulip warns me. Here comes Bella!

Sure enough, a second later, Bella appears out of nowhere and plops down beside me. She immediately starts talking.

You should have seen the skipping rope, Anna, she exclaims. It was the coolest thing ever. It just froze in midair! Thats how I knew you were in Flower.

When Bella and I travel to Flower, time stands still in our world.

I help Bella to her feet, and then look eagerly at Tulip. What are we going to do today?

Well, Tulip begins, today is a very special day becauseits Kates birthday!

Bella and I grab hands and jump up and down in delight. Kate is our mermaid friend, which means, were going to be mermaids today!

Hi, Anna! Hi, Bella! Kate calls from the water. Shes bobbing up and down in the waves.

Happy Birthday, Kate, I call back to her.

Thanks for inviting us to your party, Bella adds.

The two of us quickly take off our socks and shoes, then rush towards the ocean. But just before we reach the water, Tulip shouts, Wait, girls! Youre not going in the water today.

Bella and I stop in our tracks and look at each other in confusion. If were not going in the water, then how will we celebrate Kates birthday?

Tulip catches up to us. Kates not having her party in the ocean, she explains.

What? What is Tulip talking about? Kates a mermaid, and mermaids live in the ocean. If Kates not having her party in the ocean, then where in the world is she having it?

Im so confused. Where are you having your party? I ask Kate.

A huge grin breaks out on her face. Youll see soon enough.

I look up at Tulip. Shes beaming from ear to ear. She obviously knows what Kates talking about.

From beside me, Bella gasps. I glance over at her and raise my eyebrows. Its my silent way of asking, what is it?

Bella just smiles and points towards the water.

I look back at the ocean, but all I see is Kate, walking out of the water.

Wait! What? Kates walking out of the water! Kate has legs!

You have legs! I exclaim.

I do, Kate says with a grin. When she reaches Bella and me, she explains, My birthday wish was to have legs for the dayso that I could have a princess party.

Im so sorry Im late, a voice calls out. I spin around and see Keira rushing towards us along a rose-lined path. I cant believe how fancy she looks! Even though shes a princess, she normally wears regular clothesbut obviously not today!

Wow! You look beautiful, I tell her.

I love your hair, Bella adds.

That dress is a gorgeous colour, Kate says.

Keira is wearing a long crimson gown. On her head is a sparkling white tiara, and around her neck is a diamond necklace. Long white gloves cover her arms.