Kids into Books: The Kids From Quiller's Bend

Author: Marle Gibson

Illustrator: Linda McClelland

Publisher: Shortland Publications, $8.95

Age Group: 10-12 years


But we still remembered the day, when we were five years old, that Albert arrived at Baker Street School. That was when we discovered he was a pincher. He pinched everyone he could reach on the mat. One by one, we moved away from him until he was left sitting on his own.

Our teacher, Mrs Kane, didn't believe Albert was being horrible to us. He sat there innocently, with a tear trickling down each cheek.

"No one will be my friend," he sobbed.

She stepped over us on her stork's legs, stood him up and led him back to her chair. "Never mind," she said. Then she glared at us through her glasses. "You have been very unkind to poor Albert." She nodded her head at us, her long nose pecking out each word. "And I don't like unkind children."