Lulu Bell and the Fairy Penguin Read Online Free Page B

shoulder. She could see exactly how the mural would look.
    â€˜I think we should do a mural about the little penguins,’ suggested Lulu. ‘We could paint the beach at the cove and the wharf. There would be burrows filled with chicks and penguins waddling down to the water. And we could paint some of the dangers that threaten the penguins. Like dogs off their leads and pollution and boats.’
    Lulu looked around the classroom at her friends.
    â€˜Molly and I rescued a little penguinlast night. It was being attacked by a dog. It nearly died and then all its chicks might have died as well. The mural could show people what they can do to protect our own little penguins.’

    Miss Baxter nodded. ‘You certainly have been busy since yesterday afternoon,’ she said. ‘I think that is a wonderful idea too, Lulu. We could also includesome of Jade’s ideas, such as seagulls and sandcastles.’
    Miss Baxter began to hand out sheets of drawing paper.
    â€˜So, now I want you all to take some time to draw a design for the mural,’ said the teacher. ‘Draw whatever inspires you. When you are finished, we are all going to vote on the best design. The builder wants us to start work on the mural tomorrow. They are going to throw a party for us to celebrate when the mural is finished.’
    The students set to work drawing their ideas for the mural. Lulu hummed under her breath as she worked. She sketched out her design. Then she began to add detail and colour.
    When everyone had finished, the students walked around the classroom.They admired the different designs and chatted about them all. Finally, each child wrote down the name of the person who had drawn their favourite design. They dropped their vote into a box on Miss Baxter’s desk.
    Miss Baxter counted up the votes. Lulu sat with her stomach twisted with nerves.
    â€˜And the winning designer is … Lulu,’ announced Miss Baxter with a smile. ‘Congratulations, Lulu. I think this mural will be gorgeous.’
    Lulu clapped her hands together. It would be so exciting to see her very own design painted onto a big wall.

Chapter 11
Painting the Mural
    The next day, the whole class wore painting clothes instead of school uniforms. The building company had supplied everything they needed. There were paintbrushes, rollers, water buckets and paint pots in a rainbow of colours. Mum had come along to help too.
    Miss Baxter divided the class into groups of four. Each group got to work on a section of the fence. A few childrenrolled on the colours for the background. There were bright blues for the sea and sky, and golden yellows for the beach and sun.

    Other children sketched in details: penguin chicks, burrows, a wharf, fishermen, families, seagulls, sandcastles, sailboats, ferries and fish.
    Lulu painted a cute little penguin in the foreground. He had a glossy blue-grey coat and a white tummy. Then she painted a big scruffy dog on a lead, running along with its owner.
    Lulu stepped back and admired the figures.
    â€˜Beautiful job, Lulu,’ said Mum. ‘It looks just like Scruffy.’
    It took two whole days to paint the mural. Then the workmen covered it up with a canvas screen.
    Friday afternoon came. All the children and their families were invited to a special unveiling of the mural. A photographer from the local newspaper was there. So were the school principal and the Mayor. The students all wore their best school uniforms with hats and shiny shoes.
    Molly, Sam and their mum stood with the Bell family.
    The Mayor stepped up to the microphone. The photographer took some photos.
    â€˜Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen, and children,’ began the Mayor. ‘This is a special afternoon. We are here to celebrate a wonderful piece of community artwork. It is a mural painted by some of the students of Shelly Beach Public School …’
    Lulu looked around. Where was Dad? He had promised to come along. Perhaps