Karen's Wish Quotes

“Coming “Look! Look at that!” cried Andrew. “That is what I want for Christmas!” Andrew is my little brother. He isn’t even five yet. I am Karen Brewer and I am seven years old. I have freckles and wear glasses. My hair is blonde and my eyes are blue. Christmas is my favorite time of year. Andrew was pointing to something on TV. It was a commercial for Dyno-cars. Dyno-cars are little racing cars that explode when they run into a wall or something. Then you put them back together so you can explode them again. “Remember to put Dyno-cars on your list for Santa,” I told Andrew. “I will,” he replied. Andrew and I were at home. It was a school-day afternoon. In fact, it was almost suppertime. We were coloring pictures about Christmas. I was coloring a tree with presents under it. Andrew was trying to make a Santa. “Christmas is coming,” I sang as I worked, “the geese are getting fat; Please to put a penny in the old man’s hat; If you haven’t a penny, a ha’penny will do; If you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you.” “You know what?” said Andrew, looking up from his picture. “What?” I asked. “I don’t understand that song. What is a ha’penny?” “I’m not sure,” I replied. “Let’s sing a song we both know,” said Andrew. So we sang “Jingle Bells.” First we sang it the regular way. Then we sang, “Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg. Bat-mobile lost a wheel, and Commissioner broke his leg.” We giggled. But I stopped suddenly. Another commercial had come on TV. “There! That’s what I want!” I exclaimed. “Baby Grow-a-Tooth!” The next commercial was for an art kit. With the kit you could decorate hats and make badges. Both Andrew and I cried, “I want that!” Then I said, “Boy, it sure is hard waiting for Christmas.” “I know,” Andrew answered. “How many days, Karen?”
― Ann M. Martin, Karen's Wish

“said she would drive me around looking for The Bobbsey Twins in the Mystery Cave. You know what else she said? She said, “If we find a store that carries the book, I will buy a copy for you, too.” “Oh, thank you!” I had cried. “That will be great because I only have enough money for one copy.” That afternoon, Mommy dressed Andrew in his snowsuit and boots and hat and mittens and scarf. Andrew could hardly move, but Mommy said, “It’s cold and it feels like snow. Everybody bundle up.” So we did. Then Mommy drove to the Book Nook. I ran right to the section where the series books are kept. There were The Bobbsey Twins. But no number 53. Boo. “Don’t worry,” said Mommy. “We can still try Peter Rabbit and the Book Barn. We can even look in the grocery store.” “Okay,” I said. But Peter Rabbit was out of number 53. So was the Book Barn. “That’s a popular book in the series,” said the saleslady at the Book Barn. She smiled at me. “I know,” I answered. “That’s why my friend and I want to read it so badly.” I felt very discouraged when we left the Book Barn. But Mommy said, “I’ve got an idea. Let’s skip the grocery store. Let’s drive to Washington Mall instead. There are two big book-stores at the mall.” “Really, Mommy? You’ll really drive all the way to the mall?” I cried. “Sure,” Mommy replied. “Why not? Besides, Andrew needs new shoes.”
― Ann M. Martin, Karen's Wish