The Purr-fect-o Present (Katherine the Almost Great, 10)

Everyone's in the Christmas spirit . . . everyone except Mrs. Bingsley and Crockett! Mrs. Bingsley cancels the Secret Santa, doesn't laugh at jokes, and refuses to sing the new version of ''Jingle Bells.'' And Crockett's father has canceled their Christmas plans. Katharine knows they're both down in the dumps. Will her plan to become Santa's Secret Helper succeed and turn this ho hum season into a holly jolly holiday? Calico Chapter Books is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades 2-5.From the PublisherThird grader Katharine Carmichael, aka Katharine the Almost Great, is a work-in-progress. Katharine's convinced that if she'd stop blabbing super-duper secrets to her cousin Crockett, conquer her stage fright-itis, and come up with the winning idea for the character education service project, her parents would finally crown her Katharine the Great. Young readers will relate to her flip-flop belly dropping problems and episodes of sassitude in these entertaining, illustrated chapter books.* School related stories for character education teaching opportunities * Black & white illustrations highlight text * Large type for transitional readers