CHAPTER 1 Discovered Stella Stella bo bella banana fana fo fella me my mo mella STELLA Stella is my name but the person singing was my sister Penny She was sitting across from me at Brody’s Grill the restaurant Mom and Dad had taken us to for dinner even though it was a Monday and we usually eat at home during the week Mom and Dad said they didn’t feel like cooking and besides Brody’s Grill is our favorite restaurant 7
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba That was my brother Marco singing nonsense Penny Now that was Mom Keep it down please It’s Opposite Day Penny cried That means you want me to keep it up Penelope Jane Mom said Inside voice Now Sometimes Mrs Finkel tells Joshua to use an inside voice I said Mrs Finkel is my third-grade teacher and Joshua is a kid in our class He calls out a lot and he’s not just loud the way Penny is He’s mean too But I don’t like to think about Joshua when we’re not in school and I don’t have to because he’s such a meanie I added That’s not nice Stel Dad said 8
He’s the one who’s not nice I said He’s the biggest meanie in the whole third grade And he’s always getting in trouble because he breaks the Ground Rules like using your inside voice That’s a rule in our class you know It’s a Ground Rule at this restaurant too Mom said So all of the customers can enjoy their meals All right Pen Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa Marco said I think Marco’s saying your name Penny Dad said Use your inside voice Marco Penny told him Shhh Penny Mom said He’s just a baby He doesn’t know any better But you’re five and you do Penny folded her arms across her chest The waitress came over to our table Can 9
I bring you anything coffee tea she asked Just the check whenever you get a chance Dad said I’m a little teapot Penny began to sing Penny Mom said in a warning voice What I’m using my inside voice my inside singing voice And she started again I’m a little teapot shorty spout Here is my handle here is my spout When I get all steamed up hear me shout Tip me over and pour me out Penelope Jane that’s enough Mom said Those weren’t even the right words I said They were so she said They were not It goes like this I started to sing I’m a little teapot Stella not you too Mom said 10
