The Peppermint Princess Read online

  “It’s time to go into the ballroom,” Prince Scoop said.

  “We will see you in there,” King Cone told the Candy Fairies. He took Queen Swirl’s hand, and they flew out of the room.

  Cocoa was still holding Dash’s hand. She gave a squeeze, and Dash felt more relaxed. It was so nice to have her four friends with her. Together, they flew down the long green fruit-leather carpet to the stage at the end of the ballroom.

  “Keep your eyes on the king and queen,” Raina whispered to her.

  Dash did as Raina told her. She tried not to look around at all the fairies in the ballroom. But she did see that Princess Sprinkle was seated in the front row! Dash flew up the center aisle and straight to the spot in front of the king and queen.

  “Welcome, everyone,” King Cone said in a booming voice. “It is my great privilege and pleasure to welcome you. Today is a day we will remember for years to come. It is the day that we celebrate our history and our new Peppermint princess.”

  The crowd roared with excitement. Dash giggled. She was so nervous! Just as the king had told her he would, he showed the crowd the scepter. Dash lowered her head.

  “It is by the power vested in me as the King of Ice Cream Isles,” the king said, “that I declare you, Dash, the Peppermint princess of Peppermint Kingdom.”

  A flurry of white mint flakes fell from the ceiling in celebration.

  Dash hugged her friends, Princess Lolli, Prince Scoop, and even the king and queen. “Thank you,” she said. She touched her peppermint crown. She had never felt so proud.

  A green curtain rose on the other side of the room. On the stage were the Yum Pops! They were the Candy Fairies’ favorite band. The catchy melody of their new song, “Peppermint Perfect,” filled the room.

  “This is the grandest, mintiest party ever!” Dash exclaimed.

  Queen Swirl and King Cone beamed at Dash. “We couldn’t be prouder of you,” King Cone told her. “You are true mint, and we’re thrilled to have you as our sweet Peppermint princess.”

  “Long may you reign!” Queen Swirl exclaimed.

  Dash grinned. She looked out of the large windows in the ballroom. Outside, she saw Frost. She loved knowing that Frost had known her relatives and that she was there to share the day with her.

  Frost threw her head back, and her long red-and-white mane looked beautiful. Now Dash had her own royal unicorn!

  “Let’s eat some mint!” Dash declared.

  Her friends cheered and flew off to the buffet tables filled with special mint treats.

  The day continued with lots of dancing and eating a whole lot of mint. The coronation was a perfect peppermint party.

  Dash’s new adventure as a princess had begun!

  Helen Perelman enjoys candy from all parts of Sugar Valley, but jelly beans, red licorice, and gummy fish are her favorites. She worked in a children’s bookstore and was a children’s book editor . . . but, sadly, she never worked in a candy store. She now writes full time in New York, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Visit her online at www.helenperelman.com.

  Aladdin

  Simon & Schuster, New York

  Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids

  authors.simonandschuster.com/Helen-Perelman

  READ ALL THE CANDY FAIRIES BOOKS!

  Chocolate Dreams

  Rainbow Swirl

  Caramel Moon

  Cool Mint

  Magic Hearts

  Gooey Goblins

  The Sugar Ball

  A Valentine’s Surprise

  Bubble Gum Rescue

  Double Dip

  Jelly Bean Jumble

  The Chocolate Rose

  A Royal Wedding

  Marshmallow Mystery

  Frozen Treats

  The Sugar Cup

  Sweet Secrets

  Taffy Trouble

  The Coconut Clue

  Rock Candy Treasure

  A Minty Mess

  COMING SOON:

  Mini Sweets

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

  1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

  www.SimonandSchuster.com

  First Aladdin hardcover edition October 2016

  Text copyright © 2016 by Helen Perelman

  Illustrations copyright © 2016 by Erica-Jane Waters

  Also available in an Aladdin paperback edition.

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  ALADDIN is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and related logo is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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  Series designed by Karin Paprocki

  Jacket designed by Karina Granda

  The text of this book was set in Berthold Baskerville Book.

  Library of Congress Control Number 2016936448

  ISBN 978-1-4814-4687-7 (hc)

  ISBN 978-1-4814-4686-0 (pbk)

  ISBN 978-1-4814-4688-4 (eBook)