The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

It takes a super brave person to be as generous as you are, Hyacinth. Not many people are brave enough to be so loving

I have always believed that raising kids means more than just being a good parent and trying to do the right things. It means surrounding your kids with amazing people who can bring science experiments and jam cookies, laughter and joy, and beautiful experiences into their lives.

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.’” Hyacinth looked up at her father. “What does that mean, Papa?” “It means that animals make our hearts happy in a very special way. A French man named Anatole France said that a long time ago.

You could get me a phone,” Oliver suggested, grabbing a handful of chocolate chips from the bag on the counter. “Then you wouldn’t worry so much.” “I never worry,” Mama said. “And absolutely no phone. I survived without a cell phone until after college.

Oh, hey, sweetie. Sorry about that. Was I snoring?” “Yes, Papa.” “Did I say weird things in my dreams?” “Yes, Papa.

It takes a super-brave person to be as generous as you are, Hyacinth. Not many people are brave enough to be so loving.

...it looked like Mr. Beiderman was breathing happiness into his body.

What’s red and white and red and white and red and white?” Laney tilted her head, considering. “A candy cane?” “That’s one answer, but I’m thinking of something else,” Mark said, grabbing hold of the end of the garbage truck once again. The truck began to move. “Tell me!” yelled Laney at the retreating truck. Mark bellowed the answer. “Santa Claus rolling down a hill!

Give him lots of hugs?” suggested Laney. Oliver rubbed his hands together and raised one eyebrow. “Let’s spray-paint his door.” He gave a dramatic pause. “With disgusting bathroom words.

Oliver scowled, then rolled his shoulders and neck. “I’m going to challenge him to a pirate duel.” Oliver demonstrated his hand-swipe technique. “Take that, Beiderman!

When Franz ambled by, Hyacinth took out a piece of green ribbon and draped it over him. His tail wagged, about a 200 on the wpm, or wags per minute,

They tried to feel hopeful about their plan, but in the back of each of their minds, they were all thinking the same thing: How do you make friends with a man you have never seen and who has not left his apartment in six years?

Did you make all these paintings?” He nodded. “You must miss them so much.” Mr. Beiderman looked at her. “I miss them every second of every day.

Mama is going to help you make dinner, right?” Oliver asked her. “I don’t know.” Jessie adjusted her glasses. “Probably not.” “I think she should. It’s Christmas Eve dinner,” Oliver reminded her, perhaps unwisely. “I think you should be quiet,” Jessie snapped. Papa spoke up. “Oliver, my beloved son—

Oliver rubbed his hands together and raised one eyebrow. “Let’s spray-paint his door.” He gave a dramatic pause. “With disgusting bathroom words.

coherent. “I felt”—hiccup—“like I needed to fix”—sob—“what happened this morning”—sniffle—“with breakfast. Well, I spent hours making him”—hiccup—“a placemat, and then I brought it upstairs to him and”—sniff—“I thought I was Hyacinth the Brave but”—sob—“he was the scariest man I’ve ever seen.” Hyacinth’s eyes brimmed with fresh tears. Oliver scowled, then rolled his shoulders and neck. “I’m going to challenge him to a pirate duel.” Oliver demonstrated his hand-swipe technique. “Take that, Beiderman!” Hyacinth looked at Oliver with watery eyes. “After I defeat him with my superior pirate skills, we could let Franz loose and have him pee all over his door again. Would that make you feel better?” Franz’s tail thumped once against the carpet. “I don’t know why he hates us so much,” Hyacinth said with a wail. Oliver deflated. “Maybe it’s best that we move. At least we’ll get away from him.” Hyacinth shook her head sadly. “I love it here. I want things to go back to how they were before. Before we had to be nice to him.” Her eyes began to well up. Oliver, alarmed by the prospect of Hyacinth

Laney. Oliver rubbed his hands together and raised one eyebrow. “Let’s spray-paint his door.” He gave a dramatic pause. “With disgusting bathroom words.