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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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2023/6/27 10:39
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To Nina, my dear girl, whose question inspired this book. Thank you to Gianluca, for your precious help, and to Kirsten, for your constant encouragement.
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Abrams Books for Young Readers New York
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Dad? Mm-hmm?
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 9
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What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 10
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Don’t be silly! I could NEVER run out of words!
But what if you
DO?
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I guess in that case . . .
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I’d have to go pay a visit to the Elves’ Word Factory. They say it’s deep underground, beneath the woods.
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And I’ll buy an infinity bottle. That way I’ll never run out again.
IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 14
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But . . . What . . .
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What if it’s so dark in the woods that you can’t find your way back?
IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 15
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If I can’t find my way, I’ll climb the tallest tree, where the giant owl lives, and look for your night-light.
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 17
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But what if the giant owl picks you up and takes you far away?
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 19
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Then I’ll build a rocket and fly home in no time.
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 21
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But what if your rocket breaks down?
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If my rocket breaks down, I’ll find the smartest scientists in the universe and ask them to teleport me back to Earth.
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What if the scientists are a little bit wacky and send you to the bottom of the sea instead?
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 27
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Then I’ll hitch a ride back to the surface and wait for a rescue boat to come.
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What if the rescue boat is too small?
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 31
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If the boat is too small, I’ll shrink myself down to get onboard.
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 33
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What if the boat is full of meanies who decide to keep you as a prisoner?
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If they do that, I’ll become the strongest man in the world and break free.
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Then I’ll get rid of the mean brutes—and proclaim myself captain!
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2023/6/27 10:43 IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 37
And then I’ll sail for days and nights until I find my way back home.
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What if the journey takes so long that you forget about me? I could never forget about you! But what if you do? This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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IfYouRunOutofWords_INT_Cx1Prf_6-23-23.indd 39
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That, my dear girl,
would simply be . . .
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IMPOSSIBLE!
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So you won’t EVER run out of words for me? Never. Especially not these three . . .
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The illustrations for this book were made with gouache, ink, watercolor, colored pencils, and oil pastels. Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4197-6688-6 Text and illustrations © 2024 Felicita Sala | Book design by Natalie Padberg Bartoo Published in 2024 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Printed and bound in China | 10 9 8 7 6 5 Not 4321 for resale, duplication, or Abrams is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc. reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book. ®
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