Best Day by Red Comet Press

PLAY I SPY

Can you find the food?

To our families near and far, and to animal rescue workers everywhere. TG & CG To Olive, Russel, Terry, and Mike SP

The Rescues: Best Day Ever Text copyright © 2024 Tommy & Charlie Greenwald Illustrations copyright © 2024 Shiho Pate Published in 2024 by Red Comet Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Library of Congress Control Number: 2024930222 ISBN (HB): 978-1-63655-117-3 ISBN (EBOOK): 978-1-63655-118-0 23 24 25 26 TLF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition Manufactured in China

RedCometPress.com

WRITTEN BY

Tommy Greenwald & Charlie Greenwald ILLUSTRATED BY

Shiho Pate

Red Comet Press • Brooklyn

ChaPTER 1

SOMEPLACE NEW

Every morning, Moose, Bear, and Tiger liked to look out the window. There were always lots of exciting things happening.

One day, Cathy made an announcement. “Guess what? We are going on a trip!” Moose and Bear ran happily toward the door. Tiger walked.

“Maybe we’re going to the lake!” Moose guessed.

“Maybe we’re going to get French fries!” Bear replied.

Tiger looked quietly out the window.

Soon they arrived at a big red building.

Inside, they saw two things: calm people and nervous animals.

As they waited, Moose and Bear began to get nervous too. “What happens here?” Moose asked a gecko. “Is it scary?” But the gecko did not answer. 6

After a minute, their names were called. Bear and Moose did not budge.

“I need more information,” Bear said. “I am late for a meeting,” Moose said.

Tiger spoke in a gentle voice. “Do not be scared of new things,” he said. “When I met you, I knew you were going to help me. Just like they are going to help us.”

Moose and Bear trusted their brother. They followed him into the back room.

Tiger offered to go first. He was poked, squeezed, and checked. “It did not hurt at all!” he announced.

Moose and Bear went next. They both got treats after they were done. Everyone was so nice!

As they left, they saw a very big dog refusing to go inside. “Try the biscuits!” called Moose.

“You were both very brave,” Tiger said on the ride home. “Thanks to you,” Moose said. But Bear sighed. “I would still very much like some French fries,” she said.

ChaPTER 2

THE BIG ORANGE CHAIR

Every afternoon, Moose, Bear, and Tiger liked to take a nap. Today, after such an exciting morning, they were very tired.

While Moose nestled into a spot on the rug, Tiger and Bear lunged for the Big Orange Chair. They crashed into each other.

“I must sleep here!” Bear replied. “The sunlight will keep me warm.”

“I must sleep here!” Tiger declared. “The softness will make me comfortable.” Tiger stared at Bear. Bear glared at Tiger.

Moose had an idea.

He led them to a bed upstairs. “Nap here,” Moose said to Tiger. “It is so soft!” Tiger jumped up. “It is not as soft as the Big Orange Chair,” he said.

Moose led them downstairs to the fireplace. “Nap here,” Moose said to Bear. “It is so warm!” Bear lay down. “It is not as warm as the Big Orange Chair,” she said.

Bear moaned. Tiger groaned. Moose had one last idea.

“The Big Orange Chair is big enough for both of you,” he said. “And you can cuddle for warmth and softness.”

Bear and Tiger both jumped onto the Big Orange Chair.

Soon they fell asleep.

Bear dreamed she was eating French fries by a giant fire.

Tiger dreamed he was on a soft hammock made of marshmallows.

When they woke up, Moose was waiting for them in his usual spot. “How was it?” he asked.

“Thank you for sharing your fuzziness with me,” Tiger told Bear.

“Thank you for sharing your coziness with me,” Bear told Tiger. 24

Moose suddenly yawned. “I did not get much rest myself,” he sighed. “Mind if I get a turn?” Bear and Moose both jumped back onto the chair. “Dream on!” they cried. And everyone burst out laughing.

ChaPTER 3

ALIEN ELEPHANTS

Every night, Moose, Bear, and Tiger liked to play with toys. Tonight, after an exciting morning and eventful afternoon, they were feeling a bit lazy. Moose was chewing on Hamburger, Bear was sniffing Donut, and Tiger was swatting at Bluebird.

Then Cathy came in. “I am going out for a short while,” she said.

Moose, Bear, and Tiger all looked at each other. Cathy had never left them before.

“Everything will be fine,” Cathy said.

For the first five minutes, everything was fine. And then, in the sixth minute, everything was not fine. There were flashes of light outside. And very loud noises. 29

Moose hid in the curtains. Tiger dove on the floor. Bear stayed on the couch.

“I think elephants are running through our yard,” Moose whispered. “I think aliens are landing on our roof,” Tiger whispered. 31

Then there was an even louder noise.

Neither Moose nor Tiger could think of a new place to hide. So they ran into each other’s arms.

“Elephants do not have bright lights,” Moose said. “You were right, it is aliens.”

“That was definitely too loud to be aliens,” Tiger said. “You were right, it is elephants.” 34

Finally, Bear spoke. “I do not think it was aliens or elephants,” she said. “I think it was alien elephants.” “Ooooohhhh,” said Moose and Tiger. 35

“There are only two things that alien elephants are afraid of,” Bear said. “Moose and tigers.” Moose and Tiger looked at each other. “That’s us!” they both said.

Glue

They rushed to the window and roared and growled. The alien elephants boomed again, but this time they were farther away. And after a few more seconds . . . there was silence.

“It worked!” said Moose. “We did it!” said Tiger. “Alien elephants are no match for you two!” said Bear.

They suddenly felt very tired. “What a day!” said Moose. “Tiger taught us how to accept new things!”

“Moose taught us how to share!” added Bear.

“And Bear taught us how to defeat alien elephants!” agreed Tiger 40

Then the front door opened. Cathy was home! Moose, Bear, and Tiger wrapped themselves around her legs, and they all climbed onto the coziest couch in the whole house.

“How was everyone’s day?” Cathy asked. Moose, Bear, and Tiger were all thinking the same thing. It was the best day ever. Just like every day.

Glue

STORE FOR T N i O S ’ DAY T A ? WH

FACING FEARS. FINDING COMFORT. AND THE LOVING SUPPORT OF FAMILY. TOMMY GREENWALD is the author of many

popular books for children, including picture books, novels for middle grade readers, and The Rescues, his first series for emerging readers.

CHARLIE GREENWALD is a copywriter by profession and coauthor with his dad on this children’s book series. The Greenwald family has had four rescue dogs—Moose, Coco, Abby, and Momo—who inspired this series. (They have not had a dog named Bear, but give it time.)

SHIHO PATE is a California-based illustrator with experience in the gaming ﬁeld. She is passionate about children’s book illustration and has published several books, including Ramen for Everyone and the Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey series. Shiho lives with her husband, daughter, and new dog addition Olive, whom she adopted because they met at a book signing/dog adoption event for the first Rescues book.

ISBN 978-1-63655-117-3

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