Kids into books: Boxer

Author: Ian Charlton

Illustrator: Trish Powers

Publisher: Malinson Rendel $ 11.95

Age Group: 6-10 years


The hens are clucking in the farmyard. They scratch and peck the ground under the hot sun. I'm sitting on a big log watching them when I hear my little brother, Charlie, calling me.

'Hey, Dot! Boxer's got out! He's breaking Mum's flowers.'

Boxer the pig. He's escaped from his pen again and is doing what he always does. Trampling the flowers. Eating our vegetables. He's the greediest, nastiest rudest pig in the world. Well - I'll teach him some manners. He'll see who's boss.

I hurry around the side of the farmhouse and find Charlie jumping up and down on the ground. 'There, Dot. See?'

It's Boxer all right. He's breaking Mum's sunflowers down by leaning against them. That's why he's called Boxer. he bases and breaks everything. Flowers. Sheds. Houses.