Noodle Up Your Nose (5 page)

Jake was smiling his goofiest, friendliest smile and wearing baggy black pants and a red vest. Alice, Andrew, Charlene, Ben and Carla were all dressed up like pirates. Even Leo was smiling, and Brad's nose was as dry as a cactus.

“Sorry we're late,” said Jake. “I know I said I'd never be late for your party, but I really have a good excuse this time.”

“He does,” said Andrew. “He told us that Violet spread all those rumors because she thought she wasn't invited to your party. So we all decided to surprise you and come to your party together. We started out early, but my dad had a flat tire on the way.”

“And it took twenty minutes to fix,” said Alice.

“But here we are, Kate M'Mate,” said Jake.

Kate's eyes glowed as bright as her candles. “Thank you all,” she said. “This is the best party ever. And you all are the best mates a pirate could ever have.”

Frieda Wishinsky is the award-winning
author of many popular books for children,
including
Just Call Me Joe
(Orca, 2003) and
Each One Special
(Orca, 1998). Frieda lives in Toronto
with her husband and family.

Louise-Andrée Laliberté has built
a career as an artist, illustrator, and
graphic designer, Her books include
the popular french series of more than
thiretten books
Noémie
.
Hank and
Fergus
is her most recent picture book.
She recieved the CAPIC's Gold Prize
for book illustration for her work
in
L'Homme Étoile
She lives with
her family and her big black dog in
Québec City, Québec.

Other books in the Orca Echoes Series

The Birthday Girl
by Jean Little
illustrated by June Lawrason

Down the Chimney
with Googol and Googolplez
by Nelly Kazenbroot