Kids into Books: Two Weeks with the Queen

Author: Morris Gleitzman

Illustrator: Nigel Buchanan

Publisher: Macmillan, $12.95

Age group: 8-10 years


Colin's sincere wish was that the shoes would burst into flames and explode into pieces. But they didn't, even though they were being shot at by a low-flying MiG fighter plane.

Colin stared out the window at the dusty paddocks. The shimmering glare was painful to look at, but not as painful as the sight of Luke playing happily with his model plane. Why should that little whinger get exactly what he wanted, right down to the colour of the pilot's helmet and the number of napalm canisters under the wings?

It wasn't fair.

'... fair share of the world's resources for all her people,' the Queen was saying.

Colin looked at his parents. He hoped the Queen was making them feel guilty.

It didn't look as though she was. People who are riddled with guilt don't usually cuddle up on the settee and fan each other with bits torn off a beer carton.