Kids into books: Three's a Crowd

Author: Penelope Huber

Illustrator: Ana Terry

Publisher: Longacre $14.95

Age Group: 11+ years

His hair was gold and the pup leaping alongside him as black. he tied the dog on the tray and climbed onto the seat behind us.

He had dark eyes like his dad's and the widest smile yet. 'Hi, Polly-golly. Help, I'm going all shy. Too many girls.'

'Don't give me that Davey-rubbish.' Polly grabbed at his ear. 'Say hello to Anna.'

'Hello to Anna. Say "Howdy Pip".'

'Howdy Pip,' Polly and I said, twisting towards the black nose slobbering at the window.

Davey blew a raspberry on the glass. The pup lapped back.

'You'll have a job getting that animal to work sheep, my boy, the way you spoil her.' Mr Grant glanced in the mirror as he drove. 'How about breaking open the greasies, Davey? This boy could do with a bit of sisterly input, Poll. He reckons he's been ruling the roost with you and Gus away.'

'Where is Gus?' Polly asked.

'He was off horsing around first thing. Actually, he's done all right in the two days he's been home. He's put a halter on that filly and got her leading nicely.

'Plus he's got two tonnes of macrocarpa to cut up before dark.'

The smell of hot chips invaded the truck as Davey tore the paper and passed a package to the front.


Tomorrow: Learning about new friends