Kids into books: The Cabbage Patch Fib

Everyday the Herald carries an extract from a childrens' book as part of its commitment to children's literacy.

The Cabbage Patch Fib

By Paul Jennings

Illustrated by Craig Smith

Publisher: Puffin Books. $10.95.

Age group: 7 to 9 years.

"How do they get there?" he asked.

"They grow out of the cabbages. Yes, they grow out of the cabbages at night," Dad said weakly.

"Wow," responded Chris. "There could be a new kid arrive tonight, couldn't there?"

Everyone was looking daggers at Dad but he just said, "You never know - we could just be that unlucky." Then he got up and switched on the news, which meant we had to do the washing up. It's not fair how parents make their kids do all the work while they watch the news but that is the way it always is - even on days when they are not trying to get out of answering a difficult question.

Well, the rest of the evening passed as normal and no more was said about babies.