The Big Race Lace Case Read online

  “But it didn’t work,” said Mack. “Because I’m Mack Rhino, Private Eye. For cases sweet or stinky, I’m your guy. Or… rhino.”

  Another case closed.

  Well, it was almost closed.

  Ant Trap

  Everyone gathered at Number 21 Beach Street to celebrate.

  Mack studied the crowd. There were the usual faces—Surfer Jo, Lifeguard Sally, and the Juggling Jenkins Twins.

  Daisy brought flowers. Terry brought Banana Supremes.

  And Mack finally got one of Queenie’s famous cupcakes. She brought a whole picnic basket full of them.

  Jackie Rabbit arrived at the office with a very large box. On the outside it said FIFI’S FINE FURNITURE.

  “This is for you,” she said to Mack.

  “For me?” said Mack.

  “Of course,” said Jackie. “I don’t expect you to work for free.”

  Mack opened the box.

  “A rhino-proof chair!” he said. “How did you ever know?”

  Jackie Rabbit smiled at Redd and said, “A little birdie told me.”

  “Well, it’s been quite a day,” said Mack. He took out his notebook and reviewed his list.

  Blinds √

  Sleeves √

  Chocolate milk √

  Get a rhino-proof chair. √

  Track down that envelope. √

  Pick up flowers for Queenie. √

  Let Skunks McGee smell the roses. √

  “There’s only one thing left to do,” said Mack.

  He added this to his list:

  Set an ant trap.

  Mack and Redd borrowed Queenie’s picnic basket. There were still a few cupcakes left.

  Then they set the basket outside Number 21 Beach Street… and waited.

  It didn’t take long for the Ant Hill Gang to show up. The ants came marching one by one. They just couldn’t resist Queenie’s cupcakes.

  Silly ants!

  And Mack Rhino, Private Eye, could finally shut the lid on Case #100—The Big Race Lace Case.

  “There’s just one thing I don’t get,” said Redd. “Whatever happened to all those shoelaces?”

  Word List

  bouquet (boo·KAY):

  A bunch of flowers tied together

  catnap (CAT·NAP):

  A short rest

  compete (cum·PEET):

  Try to win or get something

  evidence (EH·vi·dense):

  An item that proves something is true

  hobbled (HAH·buld):

  Walking with difficulty

  humdinger (hum·DING·er):

  Something exciting or special

  jotted (JAH·ted):

  Wrote quickly

  lumbered (LUM·bird):

  Moved slowly and clumsily

  prank (PRANK):

  A trick or practical joke

  restless (REST·less):

  Uneasy or not at rest

  reviewed (ree·VYOOD):

  Studied or looked over carefully

  ruffled (RUH·fuld):

  Made a mess of; upset

  shoo-in (SHOO·in):

  Certain to win

  shuffled (SHUH·fuld):

  Took short steps and dragged one’s feet

  skunk cabbage (SKUNK CA·bidge):

  A plant that has a strong smell like a skunk

  snaked (SNAYKD):

  Followed a curved or twisting path

  untangle (un·TANG·gul):

  Untwist or solve

  victory wreaths (VICK·tor·ee REETHS):

  Flowers in the shape of a circle used as a trophy or prize

  Questions

  At the beginning of the story, Mack gets a strange phone call. Who is the mystery caller?

  How does Skunks McGee plan to win the Big Race?

  Why is Jackie Rabbit’s victory wreath made out of skunk cabbage?

  How do Mack and Redd finally trap the Ant Hill Gang?

  Mack Rhino uses a notebook to record his thoughts and ideas. Do you use a notebook or journal? What kinds of notes do you write in it?

  More from this Series

  The Candy Caper Case

  Artemis & the Awesome…

  Rockin' Rockets

  The Birthday Castle

  More from the Authors

  Whooooo Done It?

  Bright Lights, Big…

  About the Authors

  PAUL DUBOIS JACOBS & JENNIFER SWENDER are the coauthors of many picture books, including My Subway Ride and Fire Drill, as well as the Animal Inn chapter book series. Jennifer’s middlegrade novel Solving for M is a Junior Library Guild selection and forthcoming audiobook. Paul has also written four books with musician Pete Seeger, including Abiyoyo Returns and The Deaf Musicians, winner of the ALA’s Schneider Family Book Award. Paul and Jennifer live in Massachusetts surrounded by squirrels, bunnies, owls, wild turkeys, foxes, and deer. But so far, no rhinos. Please visit them at JacobsAndSwender.com.

  Aladdin Quix

  Simon & Schuster, New York

  Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids

  www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Paul-Dubois-Jacobs

  www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Jennifer-Swender

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  Book 1: Athena & the Magic Land

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  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ALADDIN QUIX

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  This Aladdin QUIX paperback edition January 2020

  Text copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Swender and Paul DuBois Jacobs

  Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Karl West

  Also available in an Aladdin QUIX hardcover edition.

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  ALADDIN and the related marks and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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  Book designed by Tiara Iandiorio

  Cover designed by Tiara Iandiorio

  Cover illustration copyright © 2020 by Karl West

  The illustrations for this book were rendered digitally.

  Library of Congress Control Number 2019936830

  ISBN 978-1-5344-4113-2 (hc)

  ISBN 978-1-5344-4112-5 (pbk)

  ISBN 978-1-5344-4114-9 (eBook)

 
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