Kids into Books: Ruby Red

Author:Henrietta Branford

Illustrator: John Lupton

Publisher: HarperCollins, $12.95

Age Group: 8+ years

The old man lifted Floyd out and set him down in a corner of the meadow. Then he got back into the van and drove away.

The Gargoyle shut his eyes and slept.

Only the little moon, sleek as a minnow and curved at both ends, looked down on the tin horse standing so still in the meadow.

First up next morning was the sun who woke the birds and made them sing.

Second was the Gargoyle who struck six.

Third were the hens in their coop.

Fourth was Ruby who came out into the garden and sat down by the stream.

She dipped her bare brown feet in the water.

" Well feet," she said. " I wonder what today will bring?"

The tin horse could not see who was talking. He craned his neck but the hedge was too high for him. He tried to pick up his feet and trot to the gate but his knees were too stiff.

" I'm stuck," he said. " My knees won't bend."

Ruby ran to the gate and looked over. " Was that you talking?" she asked.