Margaret Mahy

The children go down to the sea on a summery, Saturday morning, down the wiggly track, scattering shells and leaping logs. But first their dogs chase a cat, then they chase a boy on a rattly bike, then wild geese hiss and chase the children and the dogs and the walk is not so peacful after all. Suggested level: junior, primary.

It's time for lunch. Leaving the baby to feed herself, Mum starts playing the drums, boom-boom-boom. But the animals are listening at the window are hungry. In creeps the cat, followed by the dog, the red rooster and his hens, the sheep and the cow. When Mum stops playing she is happy to see that baby has eaten every bit and bite of her lunch. Or has she?

A resourceful father engages in all kinds of acrobatic moves to keep an assortment of jungle creatures from getting the double-dip-chocolate-chip-and-cherry ice cream cone he is taking home to his son. Suggested level: primary.

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly: And no one knows why. What else can this old lady fit in her stomach? Antarctic antics: Swinging to the beat of award-winning songs, these penguins heat up the arctic with their slips, slides, swims, and glides! Musical Max: Max stops playing his instruments after everyone complains. But the peace and quiet is driving them crazy! Will Max ever be in the mood to play again?