Kids into Books: Ruby Red

Author:Henrietta Branford

Illustrator: John Lupton

Publisher: HarperCollins, $12.95

Age Group: 8+ years

Ruby's hens flew up onto the garden gate and stared across the meadow to Rook Wood. Dusk unsettled them. It made them dream of faraway places, of mystery and romance.

"Better shut ourselves up," Cluck sighed. "It's getting dark."

Crinkle and Columbine hurried into the coop. Cluck followed and fastened up the door. "Hungry old fox can sniff and snuff outside that door but he will not get in," said Cluck.

"Not a paw, not a claw," said Columbine.

"Never," said Crinkle.

Ruby leant out of the kitchen window. "Good night hens," she called. "See you in the morning."

She blew a kiss to the Gargoyle. "Good night," she called. "Sleep tight. Mind the fleas don't bite."

The Gargoyle frowned. He had not got fleas.