Dr Monsoon Taggert's Amazing Finishing Academy: Part 3

By ANDREW MATTHEWS, Illustrator TONY ROSS

After playtime it was music and movement.

"Now then, children!" the teacher said. "I'm going to play the piano while you dance! I want you to imagine that it's a lovely, sunny day and you're so happy that you're skipping lightly along! Are you ready?"

In Arabella's imagination the sun shone brightly and birds chirrupped in the trees. When the music started, she skipped lightly along.

BOMP! - went her feet - BOMP! BOMP!

The floor shook. A vase of flowers fell off a table and smashed on the floor. The lid of the piano slammed down, narrowly missing the teacher"s fingers.

"Er ... yes, well I think that's enough light skipping for now, children! I want you to sit on the floor and, when you hear the music, I want you to stretch right up and make a great big mountain shape!"

Plingerty-plang! - went the piano.

Publisher: Mammoth, $10.95

Age group: 8+ years