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For Miles —E.G. ELYSSA GAVIN is a picture book author, curriculum editor, and National Board– certified teacher. Drawing on her classroom experience, she writes stories that resonate with young readers. Her debut biography, Junko’s Climb, published in 2026, celebrates determination and courage. She lives in the Kansas City area. Visit her at elyssagavin.com. RICKY DE LOS ANGELES is a character designer and illustrator with experience working for the Walt Disney Company, Nickelodeon, and Disney TV Animation. A CalArts graduate, he creates expressive characters for animation, publishing, and products worldwide. His work blends strong visual storytelling with a playful, character-driven style. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit him at ricky-delosangeles.com.
Scoop! Text copyright © 2027 Elyssa Gavin Illustrations copyright © 2027 Ricky De Los Angeles Published in 2027 by Red Comet Press, LLC, Brooklyn, NY All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Library of Congress Control Number: 2026941647 ISBN (HB): 978-1-63655-185-2 ISBN (EBOOK): 978-1-63655-187-6 27 28 29 30 31 TLF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition Manufactured in China Red Comet Press is distributed by ABRAMS, New, York
RedCometPress.com
Elyssa Gavin
Ricky De Los Angeles
Red comet press • Brooklyn
As the sun rises on his first day on the job, Scoop stretches out his boom, reaching his bucket high. His motor rumbles to life, and he sets off to work.
Scoop has looked forward to this day since his very first parts were assembled. As each bolt was tightened, he had imagined all the things he would do. He would
. P O O SC
He would
lift.
He would
. h s u cr He would
. p m u d
As he clangs and pumps his pistons, Scoop feels butterflies in his engine.
Will everyone like him? His motor sputters just thinking about it.
Will he be up to the task? Scoop has never actually scooped, lifted, crushed, or dumped a single thing, but he hopes his work will be rock-solid.
Even with his nerves, Scoop is revved up for his first day.
Scoop rolls and rolls, all the way to . . .
. . . the ice-cream shop! Scoop gives a cautious smile, a careful beep-beep.
He rolls inside . . .
. . . and SQUEEEEEEZES behind the counter.
The owner shows him everything he will need.
Scoop swings his head to the door. His first customer!
After taking the order, Scoop takes a breath and releases some pressure from his valve.
Then he . . .
s p O SCO
the perfect amount.
s t f i l
to the perfect height.
s e h s u r c all the toppings to the perfect size.
s p m du So. Many. Sprinkles. Perhaps TOO many?
! h a N
Each time a customer takes a bite . . .
. . . Scoop is met with a smile.
K n a h ” “T ! u yO
“D
o i c eli
” ! us
“An exCav ator sCoOpinG ice cReAm . . .?
...
”
! t i e v o l I
”
” ! l CoO “MORE SPRINKLES . . .
” ! E S A . . . PLE
s,
ls, bow
ug ar
co
c
ls, ow waff le b
I FT Ss
n
li la ,
, s tr
kie coo on, em e, l lat co ho
s& cre
aw r b e rr y, raspber
H eL
OO P S va
SC oop Sc
ne
c
ho col ate-covered
y,
.. do . uble chocolate
le con e
af f w s, am
H eD
m yb
ea
rs ,
cho col ate ch
UM ips . .
.
ownies, pretzel s, , br
le cones with sp f f a w , and rin chocolate-covered kl
He CRUSHES c oo ki es
ca n d y , g
ra h am
w
l f f a cr a . c k e r s, cereal . .
eb ow ls
. s e ..
PS marshmallow u g , s m
Scoop delicately mixes and molds each treat until it is just right.
Scoop by scoop, his confidence grows. He makes mistakes, but he cleans up and keeps scooping.
Everyone has been kind— they even seem to like him! Scoop beeps his horn in joy.
At the end of his shift, the owner of the ice-cream shop approaches Scoop.
“Great job today! You made a lot of people very happy.” Scoop gives the owner a thankful beep-beep.
It has been the best first day Ever.
Scoop’s heart and bucket are full. He can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow.
Endpage
Endpage
On his firSt daY, Scoop the excavator is determined to prove himself—but his dream job turns out to be sometHinG enTirely unexPecTed. By following his heArT and defying exPecTatiOnS, Scoop discovers that beInG himSelF is the sweetest job of all.
$19.99 US • $26.99 CN • £14.99 UK ISBN 978-1-63655-185-2
51999
9 781636 551852 Cover illustrations © Ricky De Los Angeles • Printed in China
RedCometPress.com