Chapter 1 Wild Wonders Malcolm's Malcolm’s legs stuck to the hot bus seat He scrambled up on his knees to open the window He tugged and tugged but the window wouldn’t budge Can you give me a hand Dandy looked up from the book in his lap He clapped his hands What was that for Dandy shrugged I don’t know My dad always does that when I ask him to give me a hand It’s supposed to be funny 4
Malcolm groaned Really We’re doing dad jokes now You can’t argue with a classic Dandy flipped a page Dad says that too Malcolm Mrs Goolsby called from her seat Please sit down It’s time to leave The window won’t open Malcolm complained The bus driver cranked the engine and the roar drowned out Malcolm’s voice With a sigh he slid back down the hot seat I’m going to melt to death Dandy looked up from his book At least you’re wearing shorts My mom said shorts are an invitation to be bitten by a mosquito carrying an exotic zoo disease What keeps them from biting your hands or your head Malcolm asked Bug spray Dandy said I have three cans I can share some with you 5
Sounds great Dandy Malcolm muttered Bug spray and sweat I’ll have a slime-a-thon Dandy shrugged At least this field trip is cool Then he laughed at his own joke Malcolm groaned again But he had to admit The zoo is cool A head popped up over the seat in front of them Big blue eyes stared at them through round glasses Wild Wonderland Animal Rescue Park isn’t a zoo Malcolm rolled his eyes Rosie Main never missed a chance to show off Does it have lions he asked Yes she answered Three Does it have tigers Just one Does it have bears Two Rosie said 6
Then it’s a zoo Rosie glared at him and opened her mouth to argue Rosie Main Mrs Goolsby yelled Sit down while the bus is moving Rosie disappeared Good Malcolm said Now I can melt in peace You should try thinking about something other than being hot Dandy held up his book I checked out this animal book from the library It’s great You gave yourself extra homework for the bus ride Malcolm wrinkled his nose Sometimes I worry about you No really Listen Dandy placed his finger on a page and read aloud A giraffe can clean its own nose and ears with its tongue I would love to be able to do that 7
