Hailey the Hedgehog Read online

  “Of course she will,” squeaked Bella, nodding at Hailey. “She would love to!”

  Hailey took a deep breath. “Yes, I’d love to. Thank you, Wise Wishing Owl!” she cried.

  “You are welcome,” said the owl kindly.

  “And you could start the parade off with your winter song, Hailey,” Hugo piped up.

  “Ooh, yes!” squealed Sabrina and Maisie.

  All the fairy animals came crowding around. “We’d love to hear your song, Hailey,” someone called out.

  Hailey felt a tiny bit nervous, but she unfurled her wings and fluttered up above the other animals. Then she began to sing:

  I love winter when the wild wind blows,

  Scattering the leaves all around, all around,

  Even though it chills my nose and toes,

  When I roll on the frosty ground.

  As Hailey finished, her friends clapped and cheered. Hailey felt like she might burst with happiness. Then, chattering excitedly, all the fairy animals fluttered into line, ready for the Christmas Parade to begin.

  The Hedgerow Hedgehogs scuttled to line up behind the band. Behind them were the Bud Bunnies and the Cobweb Kittens. Then came the Holly Hamsters, the Moonbeam Moles, and the Stardust Squirrels. Behind the squirrels, the Bark Badgers marched into position. The Pollen Puppies were right at the back, yapping excitedly and running around in circles as they waited for everyone to begin moving.

  “We’re all ready!” cried Hailey from high above. Light bounced off her beautiful garland and sparkled and danced all around Honeydew Meadow.

  The Moss Mouse band began to play a marching song and Hailey felt her toes twitching in time to the music.

  “I love winter!” she exclaimed as she headed to the front of the line. She was so happy that she did a forward roll, picking up a few fallen leaves on her prickles. “And I love Christmas even more!” she called as she uncurled again. She looked back happily at all her fairy animal friends, waiting eagerly behind her for the parade to start. “And this is the best Christmas ever!”

  How many Fairy Animals books have you collected?

  Chloe the Kitten

  Bella the Bunny

  Paddy the Puppy

  Mia the Mouse

  Hailey the Hedgehog

  Poppy the Pony

  And there are more magical adventures coming very soon!

  About the Author

  Lily Small is the author of the Fairy Animals of Misty Wood series. You can sign up for email updates here.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Map

  Chapter One

  Parade Day!

  Chapter Two

  Hungry Hugo!

  Chapter Three

  A Shimmer of Moonbeams

  Chapter Four

  A Starry Surprise

  Chapter Five

  Acorn Disaster!

  Chapter Six

  An Unexpected Guest

  Chapter Seven

  The Leader of the Parade

  Other Books in the Fairy Animals of Misty Wood Series

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Text copyright © 2013 by Houthouse Fiction Ltd. Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Kirsteen Harris Jones.

  Henry Holt and Company, LLC

  Publishers since 1866

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  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

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  First American edition 2016

  eBook edition September 2016

  eISBN 9781627797368