儿童读物 神奇树屋 32 - Winter of the Ice Wizard.doc

PAGE PAGE 1 Winter of the Ice Wizard Magic Tree House #32 Chapter 1: Winter Solstice A cold wind rattled the windowpanes. But inside the house, it was warm and cozy. Jack and Annie were making Christmas cookies with their mom. Jack pressed a star-shaped cookie cutter into the dough. Hey, its snowing outside, said Annie. Jack looked out the window. Huge snowflakes were falling from the late-afternoon sky. You want to go out? asked Annie. Not really. Itll be dark soon, said Jack. Thats right, said their mom. Todays the first day of winter. Its the shortest day of the year. Jacks heart skipped a beat. You mean its the winter solstice? he said. Yes, said their mom. Annie gasped. The winter solstice? she said. Yes… their mom said, puzzled. Jack and Annie looked at each other. Last summer, Merlin the magician had called for their help on the summer solstice. Maybe he would need them again today! Jack put down the cookie cutter and wiped his hands on a towel. Actually, Mom, it might be fun to play in the snow for just a few minutes, he said. Whatever you want, their mom said. Just dress warmly. Ill finish up with the cookies and put them in the oven. Thanks! said Jack. He and Annie raced to the closet and pulled on their boots. They threw on jackets, scarves, gloves, and caps. Be home before dark, their mom said. We will! called Jack. Bye, Mom! Annie shouted. Jack and Annie slipped out of their house into the snowy cold. Their boots squeaked as they ran across their white yard and headed toward the Frog Creek woods. At the edge of the woods, Jack stopped. He couldnt believe how beautiful the trees looked. White powder covered the branches of the hemlocks and pines. Look, said Annie. She pointed to two pairs of footprints that led out to the road and then back into the woods. Somebody else has been here. It looks like they were walking out of the woods—but turned back, said Jack. Lets hurry! If the magic tree house had come back today, he didnt want anyone else finding i