Little Sister Briana Preview - Briana Bonus Content

We've had a chance to see some of what will be added for Melody, but as the book is edited and fleshed out it was clear that Briana was going to get jealous if she didn't get her own between-chapter content.

Briana's bonus content will be cloudland-based, introducing Briana's fantasy land to the reader in preparation for the Thanksgiving dinner climax.

Below is an excerpt from the new chapter 2, at the end when Veronica has put Briana down for a nap after her tantrum. The interview that follows is a bit of bonus content between chapters 2 and 3.

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Veronica smiled fondly and stroked Briana’s hair a few more times before raising the rails on the crib and slipping out of the room. From her crib, Briana’s view out her bedroom window was all clouds. They were so pretty and fluffy, already touched with a bit of color that promised a beautiful sunset. It seemed to Briana that there should be a way to get on top of the clouds, where everything was bathed in light and nothing was complicated.

It's called Cloudland, Briana decided as she cuddled into the covers. Alanna is a knight of Cloudland. I can be the Princess. All my stuffies can go up there, even the ones that aren’t knights. A huge yawn stirred Briana under her blankets, when it passed, her eyelids were too heavy to lift. I’ll tell my stuffies about it – after naptime.

Cloudland Herald: September 16th

Interview with Princess Briana regarding the Establishment of Cloudland’s first Knightly Order. Notes by the Herald, Arnold the Pangolin, will be indicated by italic text.

Arnold the Pangolin

This interview was held in the Royal Crib, while the Princess was temporarily grounded.

Thank you for agreeing to speak with me, your Majesty, and for appointing me Herald.

Princess Briana

You’re welcome, Arnold. I’m so excited to bring every-stuffie to the court of Cloudland, just look how pretty it is!
The princess pointed to a sunset drenched in gold, topped by clouds that shaded into velvety purples.

Arnold the Pangolin

Excuse me, Princess, but I would like to be addressed as Arnold the Pangolin always, without shortening my name.

Princess Briana

Herald Note - The princess giggled, though I do not think she meant any offense.
I’m sorry, Arnold the Pangolin. I’ll remember that from now on.

Arnold the Pangolin

Before we talk about your new knightly order, I know the stuffie-folk would like to hear more about Cloudland. What is it like there?

Princess Briana

Cloudland is a kingdom on top of the clouds for Stuffies, where everyone believes in magic and adventures. There’s a palace, forests, a market, and an observatory where we can wish on any star!

Arnold the Pangolin

I can hardly wait to see it. It will be the knights that go on adventures then? Who are the knights?

Princess Briana

Alanna the Lioness is a knight, of course. So is Mimsey the bat, Juliette the lamb, and Henry the moth-mallow. Oh, and the bear Dad gave me, Beartholomew, is Alanna’s squire. All the knights will go on adventures and then everyone celebrates when they save the day.

Arnold the Pangolin

One thing I’m curious about is your status as Princess. Does Cloudland have a Queen or King? Is the Queen your mother, Veronica?

Princess Briana

Mom doesn’t play make-believe enough to go to Cloudland. There totally is a Queen though – but uh – she’s lost! Nobody knows where she is.

Arnold the Pangolin

Oh dear, how mysterious. How was it that she was lost? What was her name?
At this point Veronica entered the room.

Princess Briana

Mom! I established a court for my stuffies, it’s called Cloudland, and we made a knightly order too.

Veronica

Goodness, you’ve had a busy evening. I see your stuffies are listening attentively to you. Whatever’s next on the agenda will have to wait, I have your dinner ready

Princess Briana

But I’m giving an interview. I’m the Princess!

Veronica

Even princesses have to have dinner, and this Little Princess has homework to do. Put your stuffies in the basket, you can play more tomorrow.
Interview to be continued later.