Zadie Fits in Space — The sticker sheet crackled like toast as Zadie peeled up one silver edge and wiggled free. Read the full story →
The sticker sheet crackled like toast as Zadie peeled up one silver edge and wiggled free. She wanted a place on the Galaxy Sticker Board, where comets curled, stars winked, and everyone had a perfect spot. Her gluey back went shhhp, shhhp against the air. “Make room for one excellent rocket,” she announced.
Past the peppermint-smelling moon dust, Zadie drifted between dotted trails and lopsided stars. A ringed planet hummed like a bicycle wheel. She tried the top corner, the comet lane, even beside a very dramatic starburst, but each place made her fins wrinkle. Then her belly letters began to tickle. The O in EXPLORE popped open like a tiny hatch, and three speck-sized sticker gremlins tumbled out wearing tape hats.
“We saved you the best spot,” squeaked the smallest gremlin. Inside Zadie’s own word was a cozy clubhouse, with crumb cushions, a fizzy star map, and a sign that read: ROCKETS WHO ARRIVE LOUDLY WELCOME. Zadie laughed so hard her flame puffed into a curly orange ribbon. She settled exactly there—right in the middle of her own name for adventure—and if you trace the letters on her side, maybe the O will tickle back.
