Kids into Books: The Frog Files

Author: Annie Dalton

Illustrator: Brett Hudson

Age: 6-10 years

Publisher: Mammoth, $10.95



"Yuk," said Jade.

"We'll clean it out," said Angie. "We'll plant trees and flowers. It'll be wonderful, you'll see."

Cory scowled. "You"re wasting your time, Miss. The minute you turn your back, the big kids will rip out your pretty trees and chuck the rubbish straight back in the pond."

"This estate's a dump, Miss," said Ali. "Some wicked people live here."

"Yeah, you can't change that, Miss," said Tanisha.

WHOOSH! A tingle of electricity whizzed up Tyler's spine and, before he knew it, he was sounding off like an expert on telly. "Darkwoods wasn't on telly. "Darkwoods wasn't always like this," he said. "Flats and flyovers. Car chases and robberies. Once upon a time, there used to be -"

Stop, sto-op, he told himself frantically. The Darkwoods magic was his special secret. Once all the other children knew, he'd be just like everyone else.

The whole class was starting at him. Suddenly the air was fizzy with enchantment.

The magic wants me to tell them, he thought.

"Once upon a time ... ?" Ying Lee prompted.

"There used to be woods," he said huskily.

"Big dark woods, where those old fairytales happened. They chopped down the trees. But they couldn't get rid of the magic."

"You mean the beanstalk wasn't a one-off?" Cory looked astounded.

"Uh-uh," said Tyler. "There's plenty more magic where that came from."

"If we clean the pond, will the magic come back?" asked Sita.

Tyler nodded. "Maybe."

"I'll help then," offered Owen.

"Me too," said Jade.

Ricardo and Ali started dragging bits of old bed out of the water.

Angie laughed.

"It's Saturday tomorrow. Put your old clothes and wellies on and come and help me then. For now, let's do the detective work and see how many different plants we can find.

Everyone wandered off, chattering excitedly.

Only Tyler stayed by the pond, as if he'd been glued there. The Darkwoods magic was on the move. He could feel it fizzing under his feet, like a water-main getting ready to burst. The pond began to froth and bubble. Help! thought Tyler.

Suddenly, he heard a splash a few metres behind him, followed by sinister squishing sounds. Blat! Blat! Blat!

Tyler didn't know what to do. If he turned round, he might see a terrifying monster.