The Woods Read online

  The Woods

  Paul Hoppe

  For Thomas, my brother

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  The Woods

  Copyright

  About the Author

  Every night before bed, I turn on my night-light, read a story, curl up under a blanket, and give my bunny a hug. But last night, I couldn’t find my bunny anywhere!

  There was only one place left to look.

  I had to go into the Woods.

  And I wasn’t afraid at all. Until…

  I ran into a BIG, SCARY BROWN BEAR!

  But the bear was just afraid of the dark.

  So I shared my night-light with him.

  Then the big brown bear followed me deeper into the Woods.

  And we weren’t afraid at all. Until…

  We ran into TWO SCARY GIANTS!

  But the giants were just bored. So I shared my bedtime story with them.

  Then the giants and the big brown bear followed me deeper into the Woods.

  And we weren’t afraid at all. Until…

  We ran into a SCARY, FIRE-BREATHING TRIPLE-HEADED DRAGON!

  But the dragon just had a stomachache.

  So I gave him a hug.

  Then the fire-breathing triple-headed dragon, the giants, and the big brown bear followed me deeper into the Woods.

  And we weren’t afraid at all. Until…

  We came to a big, spooky, dark cave. At first, nobody wanted to go in.

  But we took each other by the hand and marched into the dark together.

  And we ran into a VERY BIG, HAIRY, SCARY MONSTER!

  He had something furry in his hand.

  I asked him, “Why did you take my bunny?”copyright

  “Because I’m lonely all by myself in this big, spooky, dark cave,” said the very big, hairy, scary monster.

  “Why don’t you come back with us then? We’ll all share my bunny!”

  So we did.

  And we were not afraid at all.

  Copyright © 2011 by Paul Hoppe.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

  eISBN: 978-1-4521-0581-9

  Book design by Amelia May Anderson.

  Jacket illustrations © 2011 by Paul Hoppe.Manufactured in China, February 2011.

  Chronicle Books LLC

  680 Second Street

  San Francisco, California 94107

  www.chroniclekids.com

  Chronicle Books publishes distinctive books and gifts to delight you, your family, and your friends. From award-winning children’s titles to best-selling cookbooks, from eclectic pop culture to exquisite stationery and journals, from acclaimed works of art and design to books that will inspire your life and style, we craft publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit and creativity. Enjoy our publishing and become part of our community at chroniclebooks.com.

  Paul Hoppe is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in various news- papers and magazines, including the New York Times and the New Yorker. He has illustrated two picture books: Metal Man and Hat, which he also wrote, and is currently working on a graphic novel. Born in Poland and raised in Germany, he now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more at www.paulhoppe.com.

 

 

  Paul Hoppe, The Woods

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