Grampa's Alkali

by Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet

Published October 1993
Maybe it's just bad luck, but ten-year-old James cannot seem to keep out from under his Grampa's feet. It's not just the color of his hair, which has gained him the nickname Alkali from the white crust that is the ruination of fertile soil. That's Alkali all right! But there is also an undeniable bond between James senior and junior, a bond which proves to be a lifeline when danger strikes.

Try as she might, Estelle can't tie her shoelaces. So she sets off for the Self-Esteem Machine -- the one sure cure for a tripped up sense of self. The lineup is long and the Machine broken, but all is not lost. With a bit of encouragement, she discovers more about self-esteem -- and shoelaces -- than expected.