The Same Old Story Every Year

by Anne Fine

Published 24 September 1992
Maya longs to be in the Nativity Play but when she's given the part of Mary she's shocked to see the pink baby Jesus doll. She offers not to be Mary as she knows she's too brown to have a pink baby. The children bring in their dolls hoping one will suit Maya but the teacher solves the problem by knitting a brilliant, multi-coloured blanket for the baby. Maya is a great success.

Stranger Danger?

by Anne Fine

Published 23 February 1989
Joe learns his safety rules but gets a bit confused. Does this mean he can't ask the name of the puppy he meets in the street? Does this mean he can't be polite back when strangers are friendly? There's one amusing blunder after another as slowly but surely, Jo comes to learn that rules aren't everything and that you have to use your common sense.

Only a Show

by Anne Fine

Published 29 March 1990
Anna is thrown into a panic at school when the teacher announces that each member of the class must do a five-minute show on Monday morning. Everyone except Anna seems to have ideas but Anna can't think of anything to do. She worries all through theweekend and no one at home is helpful. On Monday morning she is resigned to giving a boring talk about what she did in the holidays, but when everyone else gives a great performance she knows she can't do this. She decides to take a chance and takesScruff, her rabbit puppet, out of her bag and gives the magic show she usually does for her young brother. Much to her amazement her act is a huge success.

The Worst Child I Ever Had

by Anne Fine

Published 25 July 1991

'It was the worst sight that I have ever seen in all my years of babysitting.'

Why does Mrs Mackle think Susan Solly is the worst child ever? Just what did Susan do that was so terrible? And what did it have to do with snails?