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Table of Contents

About the Author and Illustrator

Copyright Page

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For Amy Goldsmith, with love.

—KA

For my lovely Mum, and—always—J & W.

—CA

In a sweet spot of sun, Doggo dozed.

In a fine patch of dirt, Pupper dug.

Life was good.

A little bird flew by.

Her soft nest held two babies.

“Soon they will fly,” said Doggo.

“I wish I could fly like that bird,” said Pupper. “Or like Wonder Dog.”

“I have not met that fellow,” said Doggo.

“He is on TV,” said Pupper. “He is not afraid of anything. Even giant squirrels.”

Pupper worried a lot about giant squirrels.

“I will never be a hero,” said Pupper. “I worry too much.”

“Even heroes worry,” said Doggo.

“Do cats worry?” Pupper asked Cat.

“No,” she said. “It is a waste of time. We also do not fly.”

“Pupper, you do not need to fly like Wonder Dog,” said Doggo.

“You are already wonderful.”

“We are going to the movies,” said the humans. “Be good, pets.”

Doggo found the zapper.

The humans laughed. “Sure,” they said. “Watch TV! Good luck finding shows to see.”

Cat made popcorn.

Pupper picked a show.

It was called Wonder Dog Saves the World.

“I want to be a hero,” said Pupper. “But I need someone to save. Do you need any saving, Cat?”

“Not at this time,” said Cat. “But thank you for asking.”

Doggo picked the next show.

It had loud music. Cat covered her ears.

“When I was a pup, I was in a rock band,” said Doggo. “It was called The Beagles.”

“Is that so,” said Cat.

“I played the drums,” said Doggo.

“Would you teach me to play the drums?” Pupper asked.

Doggo gave Pupper two spoons.

“Lesson one,” he said. “Drumming is hard work.”

“Oh,” said Pupper. “Then I would rather be a hero.”

Doggo smiled. “That is hard work, too,” he said.

Pupper drummed all night.

He drummed all day.

He drummed all week.

“Do you like my music, Cat?” he asked.

“There are many kinds of music,” said Cat. “I like the quiet kind.”

“Great news!” said Doggo. “Tomorrow there will be music in the park. A band is going to play.”

“Will they have drums?” asked Pupper.

“Every good band has drums,” said Doggo.

A baby bird flew past.

“Look!” said Pupper. “She is learning how to fly.”

The other baby was still in the nest.

“I wonder if he is scared,” said Pupper.

“He will fly when he is ready,” said Doggo.

“Maybe he is worried about giant squirrels,” said Pupper.

“Maybe he just needs some peace and quiet,” said Cat.

Pupper could not wait to hear the band.

At last it was time to go.

“Hurry, Doggo!” he called.

“Cat, are you coming?” asked Doggo.

“It is my nap time,” said Cat.

“It is always your nap time,” said Doggo.

“Napping is my only job,” said Cat. “But I do it well.”

Doggo and Pupper started out.

Flit! Flap! Zoom!

The mother bird zipped over them.

One baby followed her.

“I wish I could be that quick,” said Doggo. “But these days I am slow.”

“I am fast,” said Pupper.

“Stay near,” said Doggo. “Or I will worry.”

“You worry, too?” Pupper asked.

“Only about important things,” said Doggo.

They turned a corner.

The breeze was soft.

It smelled like ice cream.

It held happy voices.

Pupper heard a new sound.

A tiny chirp chirp chirp!

Something was under a bush.

Did giant squirrels live under bushes?

Chirp chirp chirp!

It was a scared sound.

Not a scary one.

Pupper peeked.

Under the bush was a tiny bird. He looked very worried.

“Are you all right, baby bird?” Pupper asked.

The baby blinked.

Chirp chirp chirp!

“Doggo!” Pupper called. “Come here!”

“Well, look at that!” said Doggo. “The other baby.”

“Why is he all alone?” asked Pupper.

“He is called a fledgling,” said Doggo. “He is learning how to fly. But his mother is nearby.”

“I cannot just leave him here,” said Pupper.

“The music is about to start,” said Doggo.

“I know,” said Pupper. “But he might be worried about giant squirrels.”

Chirp chirp chirp! said the baby.

“Someone needs to save this bird,” said Pupper. “And I am that someone.”

Doggo and Pupper sat near the bush.

They were close to the baby bird.

But not too close.

They waited.

They were quiet as clouds.

The breeze carried new sounds.

The band was playing.

Pupper heard drums.

“We could still go,” said Doggo.

“Wonder Dog would not leave,” said Pupper.

The baby bird flapped his wings.

He hopped.

But he did not fly.

They waited and waited and waited.

The band stopped playing.

“I am sorry we missed the music,” said Pupper.

“There will be other bands,” said Doggo.

Swoop!

The mother bird flew down. The other bird followed her.

They all chirped.

They all flapped.

They all hopped.

And then, at last, they all flew.

Doggo and Pupper watched the birds fly high.

They sat quietly.

They listened to the sounds of the day.

Bees buzzed.

Leaves fluttered.

Squirrels chittered.

They were not the giant kind.

“Cat was right,” said Doggo. “There are many kinds of music.”

Pupper found some sticks.

He and Doggo drummed along with the day.

They made a fine band.

Finally, they walked home.

The birds were waiting in a tree.

“I still want to be a hero like Wonder Dog,” said Pupper.

Chirp chirp chirp! said the birds.

“You are off to a very good start,” said Doggo.

Pupper’s Guide to Being a Hero

Be

how others feel.

well.

Be a

Try

what you have.

Stay

things off.

Make someone

About the Author and Illustrator

Katherine Applegate is the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of numerous books and series, including The One and Only Bob, The One and Only Ivan (winner of the Newbery Medal), Wishtree, Crenshaw, and Home of the Brave. She lives in California. Visit her online at katherineapplegate.com. Or sign up for email updates here.

Charlie Alder has illustrated numerous books, including Doggo and Pupper, the first book in this series, and the picture book Chicken Break! by Cate Berry. She lives in the UK.

Thank you for buying this

Feiwel and Friends Book ebook.

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and info on new releases and other great reads,

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For email updates on the author, click here.

A Feiwel and Friends Book

An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC

120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271

mackids.com

Text copyright © 2022 by Katherine Applegate.

Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Charlotte Alder. All rights reserved.

Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.

First edition, 2022

Feiwel and Friends logo designed by Filomena Tuosto

The artist used a combination of collage and digital techniques to create the illustrations for this book

Printed in China by RR Donnelley Asia Printing Solutions Ltd., Dongguan City, Guangdong Province

ISBN 978-1-250-62100-9 (hardcover)

eISBN 9781250621016

Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

One

Wonderful

Two

Hero

Three

Drumming

Four

Chirp Chirp Chirp!

Five

The Baby Bird

Six

Waiting

Seven

Music

About the Author and Illustrator

Copyright