"...the hero of these short stories, Henry Baker, is just the kind of kid a kid would enjoy reading about.""An excellent children's story, very nicely written; full of enthusiasm and wonder.When Henry Baker finds a small, super-shiny black pencil on his way to school, his life is changed forever...This nine-story compendium provides a gently stretching read for 7 to 9 year olds, or perfectly paced bedtime stories for younger children. The wide-ranging subject matter - from a friendship dilemma to helping a passing Viking; picking up the pieces from a karate disaster to finding a lost voice - will amuse your youngsters whilst quietly encouraging them to think.Nicky is an amateur archaeologist and an author of adult historical fiction, as well as a karateka and the chair of the village Neighbourhood Plan committee - many of the stories are drawn from her research or every day life, giving them a depth of detail!The stories are: Henry and the Football Boots, in which Henry's new boots make him BRILLIANT at football, but give him a moral dilemmaHenry and the Magic Necklace, where a birthday gift causes Henry big, BIG problems...Henry and the Magic Teapot - you'd be surprised how much hot water a teapot can get you into!Henry and the Dinosaur - big brother Mike borrows the pencil and causes them both all kinds of problems.Henry and the Viking - a school trip to the museum leads to Henry making a new friend.Henry and the Bird Bath - a bit of over-enthusiastic karate means that Henry has to use all his art skills!**Henry and the Whirlwind - Henry loses his voice, and finding it again is tricky...**Henry and the Park Tree - Henry solves a neighbourhood planning dispute!**Henry and the Velvet Shorts - the school play proves unexpectedly challenging!**These stories are new, not available elsewhere.
