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| BASSETT HOUND BASH By Molly Blaisdell On April Fools’ Day, in a town called Woodinville, Washington, the howling, rooing, and wolfing begins at day break. Hounds hurry past. Sidewalks crowd with folks. Jazzy music fills the streets. Kids on bikes pass out candy. The All Fools’ Day parade begins. First come tumblers, unicycles, and marching bands, and then comes the Basset Brigade. Bassets waddle. Bassets swing. Up and down the main street, Bassets sing. “Woof, woof. Ahhhhooohhh! Ah, roooo!” Bassets march down the street (and their people, too). Hounds wag fat tails. Hula hounds, Basset butterflies, jester dogs and more join the parade. And one question is on everyone’s mind. Who will be King and Queen of All Fools’ Day? Let’s head over to the Basset Bash and find out which hounds win. Roll out the blankets and open the picnic baskets. Our first contest is for best waddle. Come on dogs. Show your stuff. Waddle hounds! Now, time for talent – the best trick contest. Bassets that take naps, Bassets that don’t stay, Bassets that don’t heel, Bassets that can’t fetch, and Bassets that can’t catch. Here’ s one that can jump, no, step through a hoop. Wait, here’s a fancy trick -- a magic Basset. What can he do? He makes food disappear! Bags of dog food, doggie sweaters and rosette ribbons are handed out to the dog with the best howl, the longest ears, the most freckles, and the most foolish human. Now, watch racing. Hounds line up. Ready, set, go – go dogs, go! Finally, time to choose the King and Queen. The judges line up the girls. They line up the boys. Everyone holds their breath. Who will be crowned King and Queen of All Fools’ Day? Who will lead next year’s Basset Brigade? The judges announce the queen. “Lulu!” The crowd cheers. Bassets bark. “Her majesty, our Queen.” The judges bow. Lulu waddles out. The judges announce the king.“Fred!” The crowd goes wild. Bassets howl. “His majesty, our King.” The judges clap. Fred lumbers out. The King and Queen munch on cheese dog-bone pizza. Hand out the chocolate dog bones. Waddle away. See you next year on April Fools’ Day. We’ll march again in the Basset Brigade, and then head over to the Basset Hound Bash to see who will be crowned King and Queen. Sources: The Woodinville Weekly; Woodinville, WA; Mar 3, 2003; p. 1. Copyright 2003 Molly Blaisdell |
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| RECOMMENDED READS _______________________________ For teens: HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson AVIELLE OF RHIA by Dia Calhoun FAIREST by Gail Carson Levine THE AMETHYST ROAD by Louise Spiegler HONEY, BABY, SWEETHEART by Deb Caletti For Middle Grade: AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by Gennifer Choldenko WENNY HAS WINGS by Janet Lee Carey For Kids MISS LADY BIRD'S WILDFLOWERS: HOW A FIRST LADY CHANGED AMERICA by Kathi Appelt Joy Fisher Hein (Illustrator) MRS. CHICKEN AND THE HUNGRY CROCODILE by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert Julie Paschkis (Illustrator) |