Chapter I
A Ladybug in Emma's Pocket
Emma woke up. The sun said hello. Tap, tap, tap — Toby the puppy ran to the bed.
"Good morning, Emma!" said Mom. "Today is daycare day."
Emma held Mom's hand tight. Tight, tight, tight.
Grandma Rose came in with something small. It was a little red ladybug. A paper one. Emma drew it herself!
"Put her in your pocket," said Grandma Rose. "She will wait with you."
Emma put the ladybug in her pocket. Pat, pat.
Toby licked her cheek. Slurp! Emma laughed.
"Mom, will you come back?" asked Emma.
"Always," said Mom. "After snack and swings, I come back. Every time."
Emma nodded. She took her little bag. She took Mom's hand.
And off they walked, down the sunny street.
Chapter II
Crayons and a New Friend
The daycare door went creeeak. Inside it smelled like apples and crayons.
Mom hugged Emma. Big squeeze! "I come back after snack and swings," said Mom.
"After snack and swings," said Emma.
The door closed. Emma touched her pocket. Pat, pat. The ladybug was there.
Emma sat at the little table. She drew a red circle. Then black dots. One, two, three.
"Is that a ladybug?" said a small voice. A boy with a blue car stood there. His name was Sam.
"Yes," said Emma. "She has spots."
"Can my car have spots too?" asked Sam.
Emma drew spots on his car. Dot, dot, dot! Sam giggled. Emma giggled too.
They drew and drew. Red, blue, yellow.
Then the teacher clapped. "Snack time!" Crunch, crunch — apple slices.
Chapter III
Swings and Mom Comes Back
After snack came the swings. Emma loves swings!
Sam pushed a little. Whoosh! Emma went up. Whoosh! Emma came down.
"Higher!" laughed Emma. "Whee!"
Then Emma saw something tiny on the swing chain. A real ladybug! Red, with little black dots.
"Hello, little one," whispered Emma. The ladybug walked on her finger. Then — fffft! — it flew away.
Creeeak went the gate. Emma turned around.
"Mom!" shouted Emma.
Mom was there. Grandma Rose was there. And Toby! Wag, wag, wag.
Emma ran. Mom lifted her up high and hugged her tight.
"I came back," said Mom. "I always do."
"I found a friend," said Emma. "And a real ladybug!"
At home, Emma drew it all. One mom, one grandma, one puppy, one Sam, one ladybug.
Then Emma yawned. Big yawn. Time for bed.
Sleep well, Emma. Your ladybug is waiting in your pocket, and Mom always, always comes back.
THE END
