Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sinterklaas is the Dutch name for Santa Claus,’ Olivia explained. ‘If the children have been good, Sinterklaas fills the clogs with lollies. We thought you might like them.’
    Lulu smiled at the girls. ‘Thanks. They’re beautiful.’
    Lulu tried the clogs on her feet. They fit perfectly. She did a little jig to make the clogs clomp.
    â€˜Come on, girls,’ said Roy. ‘Let’s get Bonnie home.’
    He turned to Lulu and Dr Bell. His face dimpled with a smile. ‘Vrolijke Kerstmis,’ said Roy.
    â€˜Merry Christmas,’ replied Dad.

Chapter 9
Beach Party
    As soon as Dad finished work, it was time for more Christmas celebrations. Every year the families of Shelly Beach had a Christmas Eve party at the beach.
    The sun glowed golden in the late afternoon. It sparkled and glimmered on the blue sea. Yachts with white sails danced on the gentle swell. A pink-beaked pelican swooped and landed on a weathered wharf pylon.
    As so The Bell children jumped out of the car. They chattered with excitement. All three kids were already dressed in swimming costumes, rash vests and sun hats. Gus carried a big red ball. Rosie carried a bucket and spade. Lulu carried the cricket set and her boogie board.
    They ran down to the sand. Mum and Dad followed with the picnic basket and beach chairs.
    Lots of their friends were already there. Molly was paddling in the water with Tien and Sam.
    Lauren was building a sandcastle with her parents and brother. Some of the teachers from school were chatting, including Miss Baxter, Miss Donaldson and Miss Martin. Jo and Olivia arrived with Roy and Amy.
    The kids raced into the water, dragging their boogie boards. They jumped and splashed and swam and surfed. Dad set up the cricket stumps and organised a huge game of cricket. Everyone played and laughed. They sang Christmas carols.

    Molly, Olivia and Jo made up a new Christmas carol. It went like this:
    Lulu Bell, Lulu Bell,
    Lulu all the way.
    Oh, what fun it is to play
    With Lulu Bell today – hey!
    Lulu laughed and clapped.
    After the games, the parents set up a delicious picnic to share. There were bread rolls with roast chicken and salad. Tien had made rice paper rolls and prawn dumplings. Amy had baked an apple tart.
    Lulu and Rosie gave their presents to their teachers. Each box held jars of lemon butter, jam and apple sauce, with bags of shortbread and a special card painted by the girls.
    â€˜How wonderful, Rosie! Thank you,’ said Miss Martin. ‘This all looks so delicious. And I love your painting.’
    â€˜I wrote a special letter to Santa,’ said Rosie. ‘I asked him if I could have you for Christmas.’
    Miss Martin laughed. ‘Thank you, Rosie. I am very flattered that you want me for Christmas.’
    Lulu sighed. ‘Rosie is sad that she won’t have you as a teacher next year.’
    Miss Martin crouched down next to Rosie. ‘I’m sad that I won’t have you in my class next year too, Rosie. I’ll miss you. But you’ve grown up so much this year. You’re doing so well that you’re truly ready for year two.’
    Rosie nodded slowly.
    â€˜And you can visit me in my classroom any time you want to,’ added Miss Martin. ‘You could help me with the new year one students. Some of them will be very nervous coming into my big year one class.’
    Rosie giggled. ‘No-one would be nervous coming into your class.’
    Miss Martin grinned. ‘You know I can be very scary.’
    The sun began to set in the west. It streaked the sky with a wash of crimson and gold.
    Mum hugged Lulu close as they admired the view. ‘Isn’t it beautiful? It’s Christmas Eve,’ she whispered. ‘Time to go home and hang up the stockings.’
    Lulu jumped up and down. ‘Mum, do I have time to write a new letter to Santa?’
    Mum laughed. ‘Yes, honey bun.’
    â€˜Me too,’ said Rosie.
    Everyone was