Dandelion Summer

(A picture book in the makings)

     On the last day of summer, Charlotte and Louis went for a bike ride. They rode their bikes together everyday that summer. This was the last day before Charlotte and Louis would start kindergarten. They were both nervous, so they needed a day of sun and fun. Off they went on a grand adventure. They pedaled and pedaled. They went faster and faster. Past the willow tree they went. Past the frogs who “ribbited” a hello. Past the creek and the railroad tracks. They kept pedaling and pedaling. They went faster and faster. Finally, they reached the spot that Louis picked out to show Charlotte. A perfect spot to spend their last day of summer. There was a hill full of...

     Dandelions!

     Louis got off his bike and ran up and over the hill. He kicked at the dandelion seeds and laughed as they floated up, up and away. Charlotte picked two dandelions and skipped over to Louis. She handed one to him and told him to make a wish. Charlotte huffed one big huff. Then, off floated all her dandelion seeds like little umbrellas in the sky. Louis puffed one big puff. All his seeds flew away but one. He tried again. Charlotte told Louis the seed must be scared. Louis agreed but he said the seed had to fly away. How else would it become a big, yellow dandelion? “It's true,” Charlotte thought, “change can be good.” She leaned over the last lonely seed. She breathed in deep, then let out one long stream of air. Off the seed flew, up into the sky, until it faded into the clouds and out of sight. Charlotte decided she was ready to go home. So one more time, they pedaled and pedaled. They went faster and faster, until they arrived home. Now, Charlotte was ready for the first day at her new school.