The Perfect Hamburger and Other Delicious Stories

The Appetizer: The Perfect Hamburger When a snazzy fast-food chain moves into town, business at Joe's favorite hamburger restaurant begins to suffer. He gets an idea that's sure to bring back the diners, but there's just one problem. The secret recipe for the burgers is missing! Can Joe figure out the ingredients to recreate the perfect hamburger before it's too late? The Entrée: The Spaghetti Tangle John and Nicky, forced to live with their vegetable-loving Aunt Rebecca, dream of eating spaghetti for every meal. So when they enter a recipe contest and win a trip to Mr. Pipelli's spaghetti factory, they couldn't be happier! But are they prepared for an encounter with the spaghetti spinner? The Dessert: The Doughnut Ring Jim thinks a doughnut sale is the perfect fund-raiser to help his friend, Mr. Pride. And it is—at first. But when an e-mail chain asking for donations gets out of control, Jim finds himself up to his ears in doughnuts! Will he ever be able to sell all the stock, and stop the doughnut ring for good? Bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith dishes up more delectable fiction for emerging readers Alexander McCall Smith has written more than fifty books, including the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency mysteries and The Sunday Philosophy Club. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Laura Rankin's picture books include Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie and Rabbit Ears by Amber Stewart. She has also illustrated the Harriet Bean mysteries by Alexander McCall Smith. Laura lives in Maine.