Charlie likes to be ready for anything, imagining that his house could be flooded or a mermaid might kidnap him, but he learns that it is sometimes good to be unprepared. Annotation. Charlie is a boy who is always ready for anything ... just in case. What if it's raining very hard -- so hard that rain could come into the house and make the furniture float? Charlie has a plan to keep himself dry ... just in case. What if his parents are going out and...

"It's a lovely day to visit the park and play outside, but will Rabbit and Dad ever be ready to leave the house? Rabbit could take his ball to the park or his bear and truck. But his favorite elephant would be just perfect, too, if he could find it. Oh, but here's an interesting book to read...and a lovely picture to paint! It's getting late with all this fussing about, but uh-oh! Now Dad needs his jacket...and his glasses. And wherever did his keys...