The Terrible 2 + 2’s: An Invention Lab Adventure
early reader chapter book (1100 words)
Jackson is a boy who likes things Just Like Always. When his parents tell him he's going to have a baby brother, he gets creative with one of his parent's home laboratory inventions and creates Dad 2.0 and Mom 2.0.
SAMPLE:
THE TERRIBLE 2 + 2'S:
An Invention Lab Adventure
Chapter 1: A Surprising Surprise
Jackson is a boy who likes things Just Like Always.
Breakfast, crunchy.
Bath, splashy.
Pets, furry.
Play, noisy.
Parents, funny.
Jackson's mother and father have a famous Invention Lab in their basement. Jackson loves their inventions. Some are very popular, like the Pet Wash and Brush Machine. Some are very unpopular, like the Toothbrushing Dentist Robot.
Jackson's favorite is the Forever Cookie Machine. All you do is put in a picture of your favorite cookie and push a button. The machine spits out cookies forever, until you turn it off.
One day, Jackson's parents come upstairs with a surprising surprise.
Dad says, "Son, we have a surprising surprise. You are going to have a baby brother!"
This does not seem like Just Like Always to Jackson.
"Why do I need a baby brother?" asks Jackson.
"We always wanted two children," says Mom.
Jackson asks, "Where will the baby sleep?"
"The baby will sleep in your old crib," says Dad.
"You will get a big boy bed!" says Mom.
"Two brothers together!" says Dad. "Nice and cozy."
"It will be so much fun with two of you!" says Mom.
"Two Jacksons?" asks Jackson.
Dad laughs. "Two boys. You can help us pick a good name for your new brother."
"I know great names," Jackson says. "How about PEST or BRAT or STINKER?"
Chapter 2: The Forever Cookie Machine
Jackson's parents do not like these names one bit. They send Jackson off to think in his room. Jackson thinks, and thinks, and thinks. Then he talks things over with his dog Mister Star and his rabbit Nibs.
They agree there is only one thing to do.
After Jackson's time in his room is over, he goes down to the Invention Lab. He turns on the Forever Cookie Machine. He puts in his favorite photos of Mom and Dad and....
Later that day, Jackson goes into the kitchen where his parents are making dinner.
"I have a surprising surprise," Jackson says. "We are going to have two more parents."
Dad laughs like this is a very good joke.
Mom says, "Oh I don't think so!"
But just then, up the basement stairs come Mom.2 and Dad.2.
Mom gasps.
Dad says proudly, "I bet you used the Forever Cookie Machine."
"He did," says Dad.2. "That's our boy!"
"Jackson, why do you need more parents?" asks Mom.
"Two for me and two for the baby," Jackson says. "We can all live together, nice and cozy!"
So, a life of togetherness begins.
Chapter 3: The Togetherness Adventure
Jackson and his four parents go everywhere together.
At the park, two Dads give Jackson as many pushes as he wants on the swings. At the zoo, two Moms take Jackson to see his favorite animals. Sometimes he sees them twice! At the movies, Jackson has four parents to hold his popcorn and snacks.
Jackson likes togetherness. His pets like togetherness too.
One night, Jackson sees Mister Star and Nibs at his bookcase. They are looking through his book of animal pictures. Together they trot and hop down the steps to the Invention Lab. Jackson hears the Forever Cookie Machine turn on and....
The next day, things are not Just Like Always. Again.
The kitchen is a mess. Two bunnies and two dogs run around the room. Nibs and Nibs.2 turn over their food dish. Mister Star and Star.2 play tug-of-war with a dog biscuit.
Two Moms make pancakes together. Two Dads make coffee together. They all talk and talk. The bunnies hop. The dogs bark.
Jackson asks for "more pancakes please" three times. It is so noisy that Mom and Mom.2 do not hear him. It is so noisy that Dad and Dad.2 go to the Invention Lab to drink their coffee.
Jackson says, "Things are getting very crowded around here."