Fran Manushkin - Katie and the Class Pet

One day, Miss Winkle asked, Who would like to have a class pet?

I would! yelled everyone.

I want a pony, said Katie. We could ride him at recess!

A pony is too big, said Miss Winkle. We need a pet that fits in our room.

How about a rabbit? asked JoJo.

Or a mouse, said Pedro.

Ill think about it, said Miss Winkle.

A few days later, Miss Winkle came in with a cage.

Our class pet is inside, she said. Can you guess what it is?

A bunch of ants? asked Pedro.

A skunk? joked Barry.

Surprise! said Miss Winkle. Its a guinea pig.

Hes so cute, said JoJo.

Lets name him Binky, said Katie. The name is cute and little, like him.

Binky! Binky! Binky! everyone shouted.

Binky it is! said Miss Winkle.

Binky let everyone hold him. He made happy, squeaky noises.

He liked being at school. He loved music time best. He always squeaked along.

Every Friday, Miss Winkle took Binky home for the weekend. But one Friday, she said, Im going away this weekend. I need someone to take Binky home.

Me! Me! Me! yelled everyone.

Miss Winkle pulled a name from a hat. Katie Woo won!

Binky, Ill take good care of you, she promised.

Katie put Binkys cage in her room. She fed him guinea-pig pellets and grapes and cucumbers.

Then she and Binky played games.

Keep the doors and windows closed, said Katies dad. We dont want Binky to get lost.

That night, Katie fell asleep in her bed, and Binky slept in his house.

Katie played with Binky all weekend.

On Sunday, she said, Binky, Id love to keep you, but you belong to our class. They would miss you.

On Monday morning, Katie took Binky out of his cage one last time.

Uh-oh, she said. I have to go to the bathroom.

When Katie came back, Binky was gone! Katie looked under the bed and everywhere. No Binky!

The window was open a crack. He must have escaped! Katie cried.

Katie felt terrible. What will I tell my class? she said. I promised to take good care of Binky.

Katie picked up her backpack and headed out the door.

Katie walked to her classroom slowly. I hope I never get there, she said.

But she did.

Miss Winkle asked, Katie, how was your weekend with Binky?

Um, I have some bad news Katie began.

Then she started to cry.

Suddenly, Katie felt something on her neck. It was warm and soft. It was Binky, poking out of her backpack!

So thats where you went! Katie smiled. You were getting ready to come to school!

Katie, asked Miss Winkle, whats the bad news you were going to tell us?

Its not bad anymore! Katie laughed. Its funny!

And she told them the whole happy story.

With this fun project you can make your own guinea pig out of an old sock and some dryer lint! Sounds crazy, right? But your pet will be so cute. I promise!

an old, short sock

stuffing, like cotton balls or fiberfill

a needle

thread

craft glue

dryer lint (Ask a grown-up where to find this soft, fuzzy stuff. It comes out of your clothes dryer!)

googly eyes

dark marker