11372 u.s. $1 .50

Li ANEW FRIEND

by Michael Neal illustrated by Luis Dominguez

A GOLDEN BOOK • NEW YORK Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine, Wisconsin 53404

TM indicates trademark of Warner Bros. Inc. C 1984. 4.) 1984 By Warner Bros. Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Printed in the U.S.A. by Western Publishing Company, Inc. No part of this book may be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from the publisher. GOLDEN•,A GOLDEN BOOK•, and GOLDEN•& DESIGN are trademarks of Western Publishing Company, Inc. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 83-83378. ISBN 0-307-11372-8/ ISBN ~307 -61372-9 (lib. bdg.) A B C D E F G H I J

It was a cold winter morning. Billy Peltzer was trying to start his car. As usual, it wouldn't start.

"Oh no," thought Billy. "I'm going to be late for work again!,

_.,.

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Billy ran all the way to the bank where he worked. When he got there, his boss, Mr. Cor ben, was waiting for him.

"You are late again, William!" Mr. Corben said sternly.

"I'm sorry," replied Billy. "My car wouldn't stan."

"I don't want excuses! I want you here on time!" shouted Mr. Corben.

"Yes, sir!" said Billy.

Billy went to his window and began his day's work. Kate Beringer was already busy working. Billy liked Kate. "Good morning," he said. "That's a pretty dress."

"Thank you, Billy," Kate replied.

He always said something nice to Kate, but he could never work up the courage to ask her to go out with him.

A shon while later, Mrs. Deagle came into the bank. She was very rich and very nasty. Nobody in town liked her.

"Get out of my way!, Mn. Deagle shouted rudely. She pushed past everyone on line and walked right up to Billy's window.

"Your dog broke my imported snowman!" Mrs. Deagle shouted at Billy.

"I'm very sorry," said Billy. "I'll pay for the damage. It won't happen

again, I promise."

work day fmally came to aD end. He ~..,.JJI•. leeliJil& sad and lonely IS be -.Jbd ~~~~;t+)leiiDe. "What a terrible day," be tli:RJJht. r~~t~~t~rtbiJa went wrong!"

• --

Billy's dog, Barney, came running up the walk to greet him. "Hiya, boy!" said Billy. "I hope you had a better day than I did!" Seeing Barney made Billy feel a little better. "At least I hav~ one good friend," he thought.

-- -=-.:-:

"Hi Mom, I'm home!" Billy called when he got inside.

"Oh, Billy. I'm glad you're here," said his mother from the kitchen. "I can use your help."

Mrs. Peltzer was busy making dinner. "Would you crack two eggs for me, dear?" she asked as Billy strolled into the kitchen.

"Sure, Mom," said Billy. He was always gild to help his mother.

Billy reached for the Peltzer Egg Cracker, one of his dad's inventions.

Dad's machines! They work so well the first couple of weeks,

but then ...

The machine cracked the eggs, but the yolks, whites, and shells all fell into the bowl together.

-' , ; SIGH~ Here are

a couple more eggs. Why don't you just

use the sink.

Mr. Peltzer traveled a lot trying to sell his inventions, so his family was always thrilled when he returned from one of his trips. Now that Christmas was coming, they were especially happy to be together again.

"How was the trip?" Mrs. Peltzer asked when the hugging and kissing stopped.

" Not bad," Mr. Peltzer replied. "But never mind that now. I have a present for you, Billy. Open it!"

When he unwrapped the package, Billy couldn't believe his eyes. Sitting in a wooden case was the most unusual creature he had ever seen. Its small body was covered with fluffy fur. It had big sad eyes and long pointed ears. It seemed to be smiling, and it let out a giggle.

"What is it, Dad?" Billy asked.

"It's a Mogwai. I thought it would make a good pet," Mr. Peltzer replied.

Billy and the creature took an instant liking to each other. Barney, however, growled at the Mogwai.

"Hey, Barney!" said Billy. "Come on, be a good boy. We can all be friends ."

Suddenly the creature began to make strange sounds. "Whafs he doing, Dad?" Billy asked.

"He's singing," Mr. Peltzer explained. "He's very talented. Smart, too. He figured out how to y.rork most of my gizmos all by himself."

"Gizmo-that's a great name for him," said Billy. "You like that name, boy?"

Gizmo smiled as if he did.

Mrs. Peltzer could see the joy on Billy's face. She wanted to capture that feeling in a picture.

Look at the camera, Billy! You too,

Gizmo!

Suddenly Gizmo screamed and leaped into Mr. Peltzer's arms.

" I'm sorry," said Mr. Peltzer. " I forgot to tell you. This little fellow hates bright lights."

After a few moments Gizmo relaxed and returned to Billy's arms. " Gee, Dad," said Billy, "he's terrific-the best present you ever brought me. Thanks!"

"Merry Christmas, Billy," Mr. Peltzer replied.

-

"He can sing," thought Billy. "I wonder if I am teach him to speak."

~---&.&

One more time now. BIL-LY!

ALL RIGHT! Way to 90, Giz!

BIL-LY! Come on, try it!

Gizmo began to sing again, and Billy decided to play along. When Billy made a mistake, the remarkable creature reached out and pressed the right note.

"Amazing!" Billy thought, as he tossed Gizmo a piece of chocolate to reward his cleverness. Barney howled with jealousy. A Billy, feeling sorry for his dog, tossed him A~.:f.\ some chocolate, too. ~ ~·

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"Well, look at that!" said Billy. Gizmo was petting Barney, and Barney was enjoying it. "See Barney, he likes you. I knew you guys could be friends!"

Gizmo jumped onto Billy's head. "Hey you're in a playful mood!" he said, laughing. "In fact, you've put me in a silly mood, too! Wait here," Billy said, as he went over to his dresser.

Billy pulled a small Santa Claus cap out of his drawer and put it on Gizmo's head. He placed a mirror in front of his pet. To Billy's surprise, Gizmo shrieked with shock when he saw himself in the mirror.

The little creature was so startled that he lost his balance and toppled right off the desk.

Gizmo hit the floor hard. He was scared, confused, and hurt. He began to cry.

Come on, Giz, we'll fix you

right up.

Billy thought that Gizmo had enough excitement for one day, so he tucked him safely in bed.

Barney was glad to see that the Mogwai was all right. He showed Gizmo how he felt by giving him a big, wet kiss!

Gizmo giggled with delight, and Billy was pleased.

Billy was so pleased, in fact, that even his troubles at work didn't seem so bad any more. " I'll get to work on time tomorrow," he resolved. "And I think I'll ask Kate to go to the movies."

He pulled the covers up around him. " Good night, Barney. Good night, Gizmo," he whispered happily. He had a new pet, which was, of course, very exciting. But more than that, Billy Peltzer had a new friend .

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NEW! GREMLINS STORYBOOKS

Based on the hit movie!

A NEW FRIEND

Billy Peltzer gets an unusual pet from his father for Christmas- Gizmo, the Mogwai. Share the fun and warmth as Billy gets to know his new friend.

Also available

FROM GOLDEN8 0.307-11372-8