Kids into books: Stella Steller in Horace Snatchfat & The Aliens

Author: Simon Grant

Age: 6-9 years

Illustrator: Kate Wells

Publisher: Breaksea Productions, $14.95


Stella's father peeked mischievously over the top of his book. "What about taking Horace Snatchfat with you?"

"Ahhhhhhhooooowwwwww!!!!!" Stella gave her frenzied animal scream.

Her father smiled a bit. "What's so bad about Horace?"

"Horace Snatchfat is a stinkpot!"

"Have you ever talked to him?"

"Of course not! No one ever talks to Horace Snatchfat."

"Then how do you know what he's like?"

"I've heard him talking to himself in the bushes. He sounds really dumb."

"He likes animals," said Stella's dad.

"So what?"

"He showed me a stick insect the other day -- and something else with huge legs that I'd never seen before."

"Probably his dad," said Stella.

"Horace hasn't got a dad, Stella."

"Well, that's not my fault, is it?" Stella glared at her father, but he slid quickly back behind his book.