🌿 The Big Squeeze Juice Hut 🌿

1. At the beginning of the story, why is Emery the Elephant frustrated?

A) He cannot find any banana trees in Palm Land.

B) The bananas keep slipping out of his trunk and making a mess.

C) He is too tired to walk to the river for breakfast.

D) The monkeys are eating all of his favorite fruit.

2. What is the main problem Mia the Monkey faces when she tries to pick bananas?

A) She doesn't like the way bananas taste.

B) She is too small to reach the bottom branches.

C) The banana bunches are so heavy that they pull her back up into the trees.

D) She forgot her hair bow and can’t see where she is going.

3. Mia says, “You’ve got the muscle, I’ve got the fingers.” What does this tell us about their team?

A) Emery will do all the eating while Mia does all the work.

B) They are going to start a wrestling club in the forest.

C) Emery is good at picking heavy fruit, and Mia is good at peeling it.

D) They are looking for a third friend who can help them.

4. After their big banana feast, what is Mia thinking about while she looks across the river?

A) She is wondering if she can find even more bananas to eat.

B) She is thinking about trying different fruits from other places.

C) She is worried that she cannot cross the river alone.

D) She wants to find a better spot to take a long, cozy nap.

1. At the beginning of the chapter, why does Mia say “Uh-oh”?

A) A rainstorm is starting in Palm Land.

B) The bananas are turning into sticky, warm mush and going bad.

C) She lost her favorite hair bow in the river.

D) Emery ate all the breakfast before she woke up.

2. How did Bonnie find the new village called Orchard Valley?

A) She followed a map she found under a palm tree.

B) She heard a loud bell ringing from across the river.

C) She saw it while she was practicing a new “sky loop” flight.

D) A friendly butterfly told her a secret about the valley.

3. What is a sign that Emery is feeling nervous about crossing the river?

A) He starts to trumpet as loudly as he can.

B) He begins talking a lot to himself about the water and the rocks.

C) He hides behind a large banana leaf.

D) He asks Mia to carry him across on her back.

4. When the friends finally see Orchard Valley, what is the biggest difference from their home?

A) It is covered in a thick layer of white snow.

B) There are no trees at all, only giant rocks.

C) Instead of just yellow bananas, there are trees of every color—purple, red, and orange.

D) All the animals in the new village are wearing tiny hats.

1. When the animals in Orchard Valley first see the banana, how do they react?

A) They start cheering and dancing immediately.

B) They are confused because they have never seen or smelled one before.

C) They try to taste it immediately.

D) They run away because they think it looks like a yellow snake.

2. What does Billy the Bear think a banana tastes like after he takes a big bite?

A) Like a crunchy apple mixed with a carrot.

B) Like a sour lemon that makes his eyes water.

C) Like a mix of sweet jelly and jam.

D) Like a salty potato from the riverbank.

3. Why does Mia suggest a “trade” with the animals of Orchard Valley?

A) Because she wants to get rid of Emery’s heavy baskets.

B) So everyone can try new fruits and save the bananas from going bad.

C) Because she wants to move her house to the other side of the river.

D) Because she wants to show off bananas in Palm Land.

4. How did the team prepare the bananas to make sure they didn't get squashed in the baskets?

A) They wrapped every single banana in a giant leaf.

B) They put the soft golden ones on the bottom and the hard green ones on top.

C) They put the firm green ones on the bottom and the soft golden ones on top.

D) They let Bonnie carry all the bananas one by one in her beak.

1. How did Mia get the idea to make melon juice?

A) She learned it from friends in Orchard Valley.

B) A giant watermelon fell off the shelf and splashed her.

C) Bonnie brought her a secret recipe from Orchard Valley.

D) Emery told her that he was very thirsty for a pink drink.

2. Why was Bonnie a little unhappy when she took her first gulp of the drink?

A) The drink was too hot and burned her beak.

B) It tasted like salty river water instead of sweet melon.

C) There were lumpy fruit chunks in her juice.

D) She didn't like the color pink and wanted a blue drink.

3. How did Emery use his “muscle” to help make the juice better?

A) He squeezed the whole watermelon with his big elephant feet.

B) He used his trunk to smash the watermelon.

C) He capped the bowl and shook it like a maraca to mix it up.

D) He blew air through his trunk to make giant bubbles.

4. What was Mia doing at the very end of the chapter while her friends were ready to sip and gulp?

A) She was busy cleaning the sticky juice off the floor.

B) She was fast asleep in the corner of the fruit hut.

C) She was swinging from the palm trees to find more melons.

D) She was writing a sign to sell the juice to the other animals.

1. Why does Rachel the Rabbit want to trade her carrots for melon juice?

A) She thinks melons are too heavy to carry home.

B) Melons are too hard for rabbits to open by themselves.

C) She is tired of eating carrots every single day.

D) She wants to make melon juice herself.

2. Why does Billy the Bear prefer “no-mess juice” over eating a whole melon?

A) He doesn't like the way melon seeds taste.

B) He thinks the juice is too cold for his tummy.

C) He hates when sticky juice gets in his fur and bees chase him.

D) He wants to save the melon shells to use as hats.

3. Why is it easier for Frances the Flamingo to drink juice than to eat fruit?

A) She likes to sip juice while she practices balancing on one leg.

B) She doesn't have any teeth to chew the melon.

C) She thinks the color of the juice matches her feathers.

D) She wants to share the juice with the other flamingos.

4. How does Bonnie feel at the very end of the day?

A) Excited because they have so many new carrots and apples.

B) Sleepy because she spent the whole day flying around the hut.

C) A little sad because they traded all the juice before they got to drink any.

D) Upset at Mia for giving away the very last cup.

1. According to Mia, why do the animals want to buy juice instead of just eating the fruit?

A) Because the juice is cheaper than the fruit.

B) Because it is easier to drink than it is to crack open heavy melons or deal with a sticky mess.

C) Because they want to collect all the different colors of coconut cups.

D) Because they were tired of just eating fruit.

2. What problem did Billy the Bear notice while he was waiting in line?

A) He thought the fruit hut was too small for an elephant.

B) He was worried that the juice would run out before it was his turn.

C) He didn't think it was fair that two giant melons and two tiny apples both traded for the same size cup.

D) He realized he forgot to bring his forest coins to pay for the drink.

3. How did Emery solve the problem of making the trades feel fair for everyone?

A) He decided that only bears could buy the juice from now on.

B) He made a rule that everyone had to bring exactly the same fruit.

C) He used two different sizes of cups—big cups for big fruit and small cups for small fruit.

D) He told the animals they had to go home until they figured out how to trade.

4. How did Rachel the Rabbit feel after Emery showed the new cup sizes?

A) She felt brave enough to come back to the counter and trade her two carrots for a small cup.

B) She was still too scared and decided to hide in the bushes.

C) She was angry because she wanted a giant cup for her tiny carrots.

D) She decided to come next time.

1. What exciting news does Bonnie share with the team at the start of the chapter?

A) A giant storm is coming to Orchard Valley.

B) The fruit hut has run out of bananas completely.

C) They are on the front page of the news as “Pioneers.”

D) She found news about “forest coins”.

2. According to Dandelion the deer, why can trading fruit sometimes be difficult?

A) Because the fruit is too heavy for the animals to carry.

B) Because animals don’t always agree on which fruit is worth more.

C) Because the monkeys keep eating the fruit before the trade is finished.

D) Because too many animals start trading and then the line becomes too slow.

3. What are the “forest coins” actually made of?

A) Shiny gold rocks found at the river bank.

B) Dried banana peels that have been pressed flat.

C) Smooth acorns with a tiny oak leaf carved on them.

D) Round pieces of wood from the oldest tree in the forest.

4. Why does Dandelion want Mia, Emery, and Bonnie to use the new coins at their fruit hut?

A) Because they are the only animals who know how to count.

B) Because they are pioneers whom other animals already trust.

C) Because she wants to buy all of their juice for herself.

D) Because the fruit hut is the only place in the forest with a “Community Council” sign.

1. What does the new raspberry-ink sign on the fruit hut tell the animals?

A) The fruit hut is closed for a forest holiday.

B) A small cup costs 1 coin and a big cup costs 2 coins.

C) Only animals from Orchard Valley can trade with coins.

D) Everyone must bring their own coconut shell for juice.

2. Why was Rachel the Rabbit so happy to use the new forest coins?

A) She thinks the coins look pretty.

B) Carrying twelve cups’ worth of heavy carrots was very difficult for her.

C) She wanted to show off her new pouch.

D) The coins taste like delicious acorns.

3. Why did Rollo the Raccoon want to trade “the old way” at first?

A) He thought using coins was too much trouble and wanted to be fast.

B) He didn’t have any fruit to trade.

C) He did not understand how forest coins work.

D) He was trying to hide his coins from the other animals.

4. What happened that made Rollo finally understand why the coins were a good idea?

A) He lost his dusty melon in the river.

B) He got into an argument because nobody knew how many berries or mangosteens a cup was worth.

C) Bonnie flew away with his juice before he could drink it.

D) Emery showed him how to count coins.

1. Why was Bonnie surprised when she looked at the fruit hut shelves?

A) The shelves were broken and lying on the floor.

B) The shelves were almost empty, with only one lonely melon left.

C) A family of squirrels had moved into the corners of the shelves.

D) The shelves were painted a bright new color.

2. How did Emery and Mia decide to solve the mystery of the missing fruit?

A) They decided to close the shop.

B) They decided to hide in the bushes and watch for a fruit thief.

C) They decided to write everything down—what came in and what went out.

D) They asked Dandelion the deer to give them more free coins.

3. What did the friends discover when they counted their coins at the end of the day?

A) Someone had stolen three coins from the wooden tray.

B) They had exactly the right amount of coins for the cups they sold.

C) They had more coins than they could possibly count.

D) The coins had turned back into regular acorns.

4. What was the “big secret” the team found out at the end of the chapter?

A) They were spending more coins to buy melons than they were earning from selling juice.

B) They actually had plenty of melons hidden under the table.

C) The animals in the forest didn't like the melon juice anymore.

D) Bonnie was accidentally eating all the fruit before it could be sold.

1. Why did Bonnie suggest pouring “just a little less” juice into each cup?

A) She thought the animals were getting too full and needed smaller snacks.

B) She wanted to save some juice so the team could have a party later.

C) She wanted to make more cups from one melon so they could earn more coins.

D) She was tired of stirring the heavy juice and wanted to finish early.

2. How did Mia feel when she was pouring the juice “below the line” in the cups?

A) She felt excited because they were making extra coins.

B) She felt that it didn’t really matter because the animals wouldn’t notice.

C) She felt a “twist in her chest” because she knew the animals weren’t getting a full treat.

D) She felt happy because the cups were lighter and easier to carry.

3. What did Frances the Flamingo notice when she picked up her small cup of juice?

A) She thought she might have spilled some because the cup wasn’t full.

B) She thought the juice tasted different this time.

C) She was happy that the cup was easier to balance on one leg.

D) She noticed that the juice was a different color than usual.

4. Why did Mia suddenly cry out “Wait!” when Emery pushed the cup toward Billy?

A) She realized she forgot to put a straw in the cup.

B) She wanted to drink the juice herself because she was thirsty.

C) She felt bad and decided to tell the truth about the “mistake” they made.

D) She saw a fly landing on the edge of the coconut shell.

1. How did Billy the Bear know that the juice cups weren’t full?

A) He used a ruler to measure the juice in every cup.

B) He saw Bonnie drinking some of the juice behind the counter.

C) His “restaurant-owner’s ears” heard a light “tap” instead of a heavy “thunk.”

D) He tasted the juice and thought it was too watery.

2. Why did Emery’s voice get “smaller and smaller” when he was talking to Billy?

A) He was losing his voice from shouting too much.

B) He was feeling embarrassed and sorry for the mistake they made.

C) He wanted to see if Billy could hear him from far away.

D) He was trying to keep a secret from the other animals in line.

3. What was the main reason the friends were struggling to keep their fruit hut open?

A) They were charging too many coins and nobody wanted to buy juice.

B) They were charging too little, and the coins they earned weren't enough to buy melons.

C) A group of raccoons was stealing all the coins from their tray.

D) The price was too high for any customers to afford.

4. What brilliant new idea did the customers give the friends to help them earn more coins?

A) To close the shop and start a honey-making business instead.

B) To make the cups even smaller so they could save more money.

C) To add “extras” like honey drizzles, lids, and new fruit mixes.

D) To ask the Community Council for support.

1. How did the friends feel about their new menu and the higher prices?

A) They were worried that no one would ever come back.

B) They felt proud and shared a joyful “high-five.”

C) They were sad because they missed the “old way” of trading.

D) They were too busy arguing about the sign to notice the customers.

2. Which “special extra” did Rachel the Rabbit love because it helped her “wiggly kiddos”?

A) The golden honey drizzle

B) A giant pile of free carrots

C) The travel vine lid and strap

D) A map of the new forest trail

3. Why was Frances the Flamingo so happy with the “Apple Amble” juice?

A) She believed it helped keep her bright pink feathers shiny.

B) It was the only juice that stayed cold on a hot day.

C) She liked the way the red apples matched her eyes.

D) It was served in a special tall cup just for birds.

4. What is the new name the friends choose for their business at the end of the story?

A) The Super Speedy Banana Stand

B) The Big Squeeze Juice Hut

C) The Gulp-a-Pop Juice Hut

D) The Orchard Valley Trading Post

1. When this character gets a big idea or feels a sudden spark of excitement, their tail gives a "tiny, nervous swish" or a "small twitch." Who is this thinker?

A) Bonnie the Bird

B) Mia the Monkey

C) Dandelion the Deer

D) Rachel the Rabbit

2. This character is known for "fanning out their ears" when they are happy and using their nose to give a "friendly wave" or a "gentle nudge." Who is this helpful builder?

A) Billy the Bear

B) Rollo the Raccoon

C) Emery the Elephant

D) Terry the Tapir

3. If you hear a "bright, triumphant chirp" or see someone "skidding to a stop" after a high-speed sky loop, you are looking at this energetic pioneer. Who is it?

A) Bonnie the Bird

B) Frances the Flamingo

C) Mia the Monkey

D) The Twin Chipmunks

4. When things get a little stressful or this character is thinking hard, they reach up and "twist their hair bow" or "tug at their hair knot." Who is this creative juice-maker?

A) Dandelion the Deer

B) Bonnie the Bird

C) Rachel the Rabbit

D) Mia the Monkey

5. This character "talks a lot" when they are nervous—especially while crossing slippery river rocks—and uses their massive strength to "shake a bowl like a maraca." Who is it?

A) Bonnie the Bird

B) Emery the Elephant

C) Rollo the Raccoon

D) Mia the Monkey

6. This character "taps a slow beat on their belt" when they are thinking or about to make a big decision. They are also known for a "toothy grin" and a stomach that gives a "little jerk" when they are hungry. Who is this restaurant owner?

A) Rollo the Raccoon

B) Emery the Elephant

C) Billy the Bear

D) Terry the Tapir

7. "Zip! Weave! Spiraling down!" This character never just walks; they are always a "flash" of color in the air who loves to smooth down their "spiky hair" after a long flight. Who is this news-bringer?

A) Frances the Flamingo

B) Bonnie the Bird

C) Mia the Monkey

D) Dandelion the Deer

8. This character is very elegant and "glides" rather than walks. They often "smooth their bright pink feathers" and stand on one leg when they are relaxing with a cup of apple juice. Who is it?

A) Rachel the Rabbit

B) Dandelion the Deer

C) Bonnie the Bird

D) Frances the Flamingo

9. When this character is in a hurry, they "wave their paws" and try to convince everyone that "melons are old news." They are known for "dropping dusty fruit" and darting away quickly. Who is this impatient trader?

A) Rollo the Raccoon

B) Billy the Bear

C) Terry the Tapir

D) The Twin Chipmunks

10. This character is famous for a "sea of long ears" that follows them everywhere. They "wiggle and bounce" with joy, especially when they see a "Travel Vine" lid and strap. Who is the leader of this big family?

A) Mia the Monkey

B) Rachel the Rabbit

C) Dandelion the Deer

D) Frances the Flamingo

1. You are excellent at drawing, but your friend is a fast writer. You both want to make a neighborhood newspaper. What is the most efficient way to work?

A. You should both learn to do the other person's job first.

B. Both of you should try to write and draw half the pages individually.

C. One person should do all the work while the other watches.

D. The artist should draw and the writer should write.

2. You have a large box of stickers you don't want, but you really want a toy car. Your friend has an extra toy car but wants stickers. What is this swap called?

A. Taxes

B. Bartering

C. Borrowing

D. Investing

3. Why is it usually easier to use coins (money) instead of bartering (swapping items)?

A. Coins are heavier and harder to lose.

B. You can only buy things with coins, never with trades.

C. Coins are shinier and look better.

D. Coins have a standard value that everyone agrees on.

4. You spend $5 on lemons and sugar, and you sell your lemonade for $8. What is the $3 you have left over at the end called?

A. Expense

B. Profit

C. Loss

D. Revenue

5. If you notice that you are spending $10 to make a product but only earning $9 back, what is happening to your business?

A. You are breaking even.

B. You are growing too fast.

C. You are making a profit.

D. You are operating at a loss.

6. You want to raise your prices because your costs went up, but you are afraid customers will leave. What is a good entrepreneurial way to solve this?

A. Close your business immediately.

B. Ask your customers to give you money for free.

C. Add 'Value' by offering a better experience or a new feature.

D. Give customers less of the product without telling them.

7. A customer is unhappy because your product broke. What should an 'Honest Heart' entrepreneur do?

A. Tell them it's their fault for using it wrong.

B. Hide from the customer when you see them coming.

C. Listen to their feedback and offer to fix it or replace it.

D. Ignore their messages and hope they go away.

8. Why is it important for a business to keep 'records' (writing down what they buy and sell)?

A. To help them understand if they are making money or losing it.

B. Because the Community Council says they have to.

C. So they can show off how much they wrote.

D. To make the shop look more professional with papers.

9. What is an 'Entrepreneur'?

A. Someone who only works for other people.

B. A person who identifies a problem and creates a business to solve it.

C. An animal that lives in Orchard Valley.

D. Someone who just finds coins on the ground.

10. If you create a juice with a 'Travel Vine' lid for parents with 'wiggly kiddos,' you are practicing what concept?

A. Meeting a Market Need

B. Supply and Demand

C. Competition

D. Scarcity

11. If a new juice stand opens next to yours, and they start selling a different flavor like 'Durian Delight,' what is the most entrepreneurial way to react?

A. Try to scare them away so you are the only one selling juice.

B. Close your shop immediately because you are worried they are better.

C. Focus on what makes your shop special and maybe even find a way to work together.

D. Tell everyone that durian is a 'bad' fruit.

12. You have created a brand-new juice flavor, but nobody is coming to the hut to try it. What is the most effective way to get your first customers?

A. Tell people that the old flavors are now terrible so they have to buy the new one.

B. Sit quietly and wait for someone to eventually notice the sign.

C. Hide the new juice so it seems like a secret that only special people can have.

D. Give out tiny 'taster' sips to neighbors passing by.

(Hint: Think about how Mia offered Rachel a 'teeny-tiny taste' to see if she liked the juice. )

In the sunny forest of Palm Land, Emery the little (1) _________ ambled into the grove for breakfast. He sat beneath a (2) _________ tree and tried his best to (3) _________ the fruit. But every time he tried, the fruit went splat!

Just then, Mia the monkey tumbled from the branches. She was having a hard time too! The bunches were so heavy that she had to wrestle them.

Mia looked at Emery and had a great idea. "What if we team up?" she asked. "You've got the (4) _________ —I've got the (5) _________. You pick 'em. I peel 'em!"

Emery was so happy that he fanned out his ears and let out a loud (6) _________! Together, they had a wonderful feast.

Word Box:

muscle. elephant. fingers. banana. peel. trumpet

One morning, the friends woke up to find their banana heap had turned into sticky, warm (1) _________. Suddenly, a scarlet bird named Bonnie swooped down, smoothing her (2) _________ hair.

"Guess what!" Bonnie chirped. She had been practicing a new sky (3) _________ over the river. She told them about a wonderful new village called Orchard (4) _________. She described amazing smells that were sweet, zippy, and had a "zingy" (5) _________.

The friends decided to go see for themselves. As they waded across the river, Emery started to talk a lot. He always talks when he gets (6) _________. But soon, they were standing at the edge of the hill, looking down at the colorful new trees.

Word Box:

scent. nervous. loop. spiky. valley. mush

When the friends arrived at Orchard Valley, they met a big bear named Billy. Mia wanted to show him something special, so she pulled a (1) _________ golden banana from her bag. Billy took a big chomp and cheered, "Whoa! It’s like (2) _________ and jam!"

Mia had a fresh idea. "What if we (3) _________?" she asked. "We swap bananas for your fruits!" Everyone loved the plan. The next morning, the team wove twigs and vines into sturdy (4) _________ to carry the fruit.

Emery tucked the bananas inside carefully. He put the (5) _________ ones on the bottom so they wouldn't get squashed. Soon, a long line of animals arrived with apples, berries, and melons. Dandelion the deer even showed them forest coins made of smooth (6) _________ to help make trading easier!

Word Box:

jelly. baskets. trade. acorns. plump. green

One hot afternoon in the fruit hut, a giant watermelon was wobbling on the very edge of the top (1) _________. Suddenly—thump! The melon hit the floor and red juice (2) _________ everywhere, right onto Mia!

Mia tasted a drop and realized it was delicious. She had a great idea to turn the fruit into a drink. She dropped pink melon (3) _________ into a bowl and started to stir. Tiny (4) _________ popped at the top.

Emery wanted to help too. "I've got the (5) _________," he said with a grin. He shook the bowl like a maraca until the juice was smooth. They were so busy making juice that they didn't notice Mia had curled up in the corner for a deep (6) _________!

Word Box:

bubbles. muscles. snooze. chunks. shelf. splashed

The next day, Mia announced they had juice that was freshly squeezed and extra (1) _________. Mrs. Rachel the rabbit was the first to arrive. She wanted to trade her carrots because melons were too (2) _________ for rabbits to open by themselves.

Then, Billy the bear came by. He loved juice because he didn't want sticky fruit in his fur, which made the (3) _________ chase him! Frances the flamingo also wanted a cup. She liked (4) _________ juice while balancing on one leg.

The friends were so busy trading that they gave away every single drop. Bonnie was a little sad because they didn't even get one (5) _________ for themselves! But Mia had a bright idea. She wanted to make enough juice for everyone and even talked about adding a (6) _________ to the cups so there would be no spills!

Word Box:

sip. lid. hard. cold. bees. sipping

The next morning, the juice hut was very busy. Emery noticed that everyone brought (1) _________ fruit, but they all wanted the same juice. Suddenly, Billy the bear got upset. He had brought two giant (2) _________, but Frances the flamingo only brought two tiny apples.

"How is that (3) _________?" Billy rumbled, because they both got the same size cup.

Emery had a great idea to fix the problem. He pulled out two new cups. "Big fruit gets a (4) _________ cup," he said. "Small fruit gets a (5) _________ cup".

Everyone was happy with the new rule. Mia watched the line move quickly and let out a long, quiet (6) _________. The new way was working perfectly!

Word Box:

melons. fair‍. different. phew. tall. short

Bonnie spiraled into the hut with a rolled-up (1) _________ clutched in her feet. She was so excited because it said they were (2) _________, the very first animals to cross the river! Mia struck a pose and wondered if she was (3) _________ now.

At the bottom of the news, Mia saw something about "forest (4) _________". The friends went to the Community Council to (5) _________ what they were. Dandelion the deer showed them a pouch full of smooth (6) _________ with tiny oak leaves carved on them. These new coins would make trading much easier for everyone!

Word Box:

pioneers. acorns. famous. discuss. leaf. coins

Bonnie was so excited to share the news. She flew her sky (1) _________ twice to tell everyone about the forest coins! Meanwhile, Emery hung a new (2) _________ on the door. It showed that a small cup cost one coin and a big cup cost two.

The line moved fast until Rollo the raccoon showed up. He didn't have any (3) _________. "Let’s skip the (4) _________ and do it the old way," Rollo said, pushing a dusty (5) _________ onto the counter. He thought trading fruit was faster, but soon everyone started to argue about how many berries or mangosteens a cup was worth.

Emery stepped in to help. He explained that with coins, the friends don't have to (6) _________ the value of every single fruit. Rollo understood and promised to bring a coin next time. The first day of the "New Way" was a great success!

Word Box:

coins. sign. melon. loop. middleman. guess

Bonnie looked at the fruit stand and gasped. Instead of being full of treats, the (1) _________ were almost empty! Emery had gone to the (2) _________ with a bag of coins, but he only came back with three small melons. Something was definitely (3) _________.

Emery had a smart plan. "Tomorrow, we write everything down," he said. The next day, Mia used a twig to write on a piece of (4) _________. Every time they sold a cup of juice, she added a mark or a (5) _________ to the page.

At the end of the day, they counted the coins. They made nine coins from selling juice, but they spent twelve coins to buy the fruit. Mia’s heart thumped as she realized the problem: they were (6) _________ more money than they were making!

Word Box:

shelves. market. missing. parchment. dots. spending

Bonnie had an idea to save money. "What if we pour a little less juice in each cup?" she suggested. Her voice (1) _________ because she was a little sad and tired. The friends decided to try it. Mia poured the juice, but she stopped it below the usual (2) _________.

Each cup was a little (3) _________ than the last. When Frances the flamingo got her drink, she thought she had spilled some! Then Mrs. Rachel arrived with twelve coins that rang like a happy (4) _________. She wanted a "full-(5) _________ treat" for all her bunny children.

Mia felt a twist in her chest. She knew the cups weren't actually full. When Billy the bear rushed up to the counter, Mia couldn't do it anymore. "Wait!" she cried. She looked at her friends and her neighbors and said, "I'm so sorry. We made a (6) _________.

Word Box:

mistake. wobbled. lower. line. belly. bell

Billy the bear knew the cups were lighter because they didn't make a heavy (1) _________ sound on the counter. Emery explained that they didn't have enough coins to buy fruit, but Billy told them their (2) _________ were just too low!

The animals wanted to help. Billy suggested adding a sweet (3) _________ drizzle on top. Rachel the rabbit said she would pay extra for a (4) _________ to stop spills. Even Rollo the raccoon said that giving the animals more fruit (5) _________ would make them happy to pay more.

The three friends smiled. They realized they didn't have to shrink the cups to stay in business. Instead of making the cups smaller, they could make them (6) _________!

Word Box:

thunk. honey. lid. choices. better. prices

A brand-new (1) _________ hung above the counter with yummy choices like "Apple Amble" and "Melon Mash." The hut was full of happy neighbors. Mrs. Rachel loved the new travel vine because the (2) _________ kept the juice from spilling while her bunnies hopped.

But the hut still needed a real name! After laughing at some silly and long ideas, Mia picked up a big melon and gave it a dramatic (3) _________. She suggested the name: The Big Squeeze!

Emery loved it because it felt full of (4) _________, just like their hut. Mia smiled brightly as she painted the new (5) _________ in bold ink. "The Big Squeeze Juice Hut," she whispered. It was the perfect name for all the big (6) _________ they were going to have next!

Word Box:

menu. strap. energy. squeeze. adventures. letters