AustLit

'Holly opened the lid wide and smiled. "They're the yum-worms."

She held up a shiny, fat, green worm and bit the tail off.

"Oooh!" squeeked the worm, and its tail shot out even longer than it was before

"See?" said Holly. But Ms Reed couldn't see. She had fainted.

When Holly tells Ms Reed about wennabees and yum-worms, and about a burglar who stole her parents, Ms Reed thinks it's all in Holly's imagination. But when Ms Reed goes to visit Holly's house, she not only starts to believe in wennabees and yum-worms, but cockroaches, scatterbugs and fog-frogs too.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Princess Belle stepped forward and curtsied to the royal guests.

'The king said, "This is my daughter, Princess Belle."

'The King of Danzania held out his hand. Forgetting she was wearing a clown trick ring, Belle shook his hand.

'A zing of electricity buzzed from the ring...' (Publication summary)

'There was someone under Cody’s bed! Cody leapt off the bed and ran for the door. Just then, Zip Velocity rolled out and stood up.

'“Zip Velocity?” Cody asked, in amazement.

'“That’s me. Now, did you see a hairy beast run past?”' (Publication summary)

'“Please let me come to your party. I’ve travelled such a long, long way.” Batty peeped up at Oliver and squeezed out a tiny tear.

'“Pleeeeeaase?”

'“Oh, OK,” said Oliver, giving in. “But don’t you dare bite anyone. I don’t want any of my friends turning into vampires.”' (Publication summary)

'“Little Bumpkin is as much fun as a Big Pumpkin box of bent nails,” Rosie said. But everyone stared when Rosie’s Great Aunt Grizella drove into town. She was driving a grader. Not many graders came to Little Bumpkin. A grader towing a huge plastic pumpkin had never come to Little Bumpkin.' (Publication summary)

'The crocodile walked out of my room and around the house. Every now and then, he would take notes.

'“Are you hungry?” asked the crocodile.

'My mouth went dry. “Are you?” I asked.' (Publication summary)

'“Want to talk about it?” asked Dragon.

'“About what?” said Bat, flicking the torch on and off, on and off. \

'“About what’s wrong.”

'“Nothing is wrong,” sighed Bat.

'Dragon was more than five hundred years old. She knew a bit about most things.

'She could tell that Bat was not happy.' (Publication summary)

'Dragon and Bat sat still in their canoe. The water rose under them.

'“It’s just a passing shower,” said Bat breezily, “a light sprinkle.”

'“I don’t think so,” muttered Dragon. She was right. Seconds later, a great surge of water roared through the cave, taking Bat and Dragon and their canoe with it.' (Publication summary)

'Dragon had just closed her eyes when Bat stumbled into the cave. He was not alone.

'“You’re back!” said Dragon. “Where have you been? I’ve got a surprise.”

'“I have a surprise too!” said Bat excitedly. “This is Boris. He’s my new friend. Boris is a bat too.”

'“I can see that,” said Dragon flatly.' (Publication summary)

'Bat flew to the back of the cave and came back with two small, snap-lock containers. Dragon sniffed the containers.

'“That is definitely a troll wart and really top-notch giant’s drool.”

'Bat put them in the pot. They did not disappear, but the pot started to spin and change colour.

'“Now we’re cooking!” cried Bat.

'“It smells terrible,” wheezed Dragon.' (Publication summary)

'“What are we going to do with your mess?”

'Bat pointed to Dragon’s treasure. Suddenly, Dragon was not so tired.

'“I have been collecting this pile of treasure for more than five hundred years,” she roared. “It is not mess!”

'Smoke burst out of Dragon’s left nostril. She was not happy.' (Publication summary)

'“Want to talk about it?” asked Dragon.

'“About what?” said Bat, flicking the torch on and off, on and off.

'“About what’s wrong.”

'“Nothing is wrong,” sighed Bat.

'Dragon was more than five hundred years old. She knew a bit about most things.

'She could tell that Bat was not happy.' (Publication summary)

'“Want to talk about it?” asked Dragon.

'“About what?” said Bat, flicking the torch on and off, on and off.

'“About what’s wrong.”

'“Nothing is wrong,” sighed Bat.

'Dragon was more than five hundred years old. She knew a bit about most things.

'She could tell that Bat was not happy.' (Publication summary)

'“Someone else could live here with us,” said Bat, “in the cave down the back.”

'“I don’t think so,” said Dragon. “Why not?” asked Bat.

'“It is hard enough having a bat and a dragon live together,” she huffed. “We don’t need to make things more difficult by sharing with a giraffe.”

'“Do giraffes live in caves?” quizzed Bat.' (Publication summary)

'Millie said, “Let’s paint portraits.”

'“Okay,” Zac said. He picked up a brush and spread his paper out on the grass. “There’s just one thing.”

'“Yes?” asked Millie.

'“What’s a portrait?”' (Publication summary)

'“I wonder if you’re like that frog in the story?” the princess said. “You know, the one that …”

'“I know,” said Frog.

'“So, give me a try!”' (Publication summary)

'“You didn’t really think I was going to hug a stranger, did you?” said the monster to Harry.

'“Especially a dull, sad one with green-cheese breath.”

'“But I need a hug,” pleaded Harry.

'“Not my problem,” she said, smoothing down her fur.' (Publication summary)

'“I luurrve your hair,” Mitzi says cheerily. “It’s full of hiding spots.”

'“Hiding spots?” I ask.

'“Oh, never mind. What can I do for you?” she says.

'“My sister says I need a new hairdo for the school dance,” I explain. Next thing I know, my hair is done and I am in front of a mirror next to my sister.' (Publication summary)

'“Bossy? Does this make my bottom look big?” Queen Jodi asked.

'All around the castle, people gasped. Sir Bossalot tried to ignore her. Then he ran away.

'The Queen screwed up her face. “I think Bossy needs to dig the wax out of his ears,” she muttered, as she watched him disappear.' (Publication summary)

'“Why aren’t you laughing, Monty?” asked Emily.

'“He’s lost his sense of humour,” said Thomas.

'Mrs Horton’s face was red from laughing. “You look worried, Monty.”

'Worried? I was terrified! I’d lost my sense of humour. That was nothing to laugh at!' (Publication summary)

'“Hold on! You’re not going anywhere,” said Genie.

'“I’ve got to grant you something for getting me out of the bottle. Now, let me think. What was it again? It’s three of something. Three fishes? Three dishes? Give me a minute — it’s been a while.”

'“I think you are supposed to grant me three wishes,” said Josh meekly.' (Publication summary)

'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs went to visit The Three Bears and got into a food fight.

'The King arrived to find The Three Bears head to toe in porridge and the Seven Dwarfs jumping from bed to bed.

'“Who made this mess?” he yelled.

'“It was them!” Snow White pointed at the dwarfs.' (Publication summary)

'There were shouts of, "STOP THAT CAT BURGLAR!"

'Poor Leonardo was in a spot of trouble.' (Publication summary)

'Jinx stormed inside the cottage and wrote a very nasty letter to the Gnome Council, complaining about the garden gnomes. The ink was barely dry when he sent the letter flying away. But only the shake of a spiky tail later, Jinx’s nasty letter blew back. Now the letter had a message for Jinx …' (Publication summary)

'“I hereby declare this caravan to be an independent country. As you don’t have the right passport, I cannot allow you to enter Caravania,” I announce.

'Dad just stares at me. “I’m going to get that report,” he says. Dad walks away. But he’ll be back.' (Publication summary)

'“I hate doing sums!” said David. “I wish there was no such thing as numbers.”

'The Wish Fairy smiled. “I think I will grant this wish,” she said.' (Publication summary)

'“Please take the photo again,” I beg. “This time I’ll stay really still.”

'“If I take it again, someone else will pull a face,” the photographer explains.

'“That’s fine, as long as it’s not me!” Doesn’t he realise that my whole future with Michelle depends on this photo?' (Publication summary)

'There in the python's tummy was the shape of a trumpet. My shiny, brass trumpet!

'"He has to go. He'll eat us all!" yelled mum.' (Publication summary)

'Sienna could see a big, plump turkey, wrapped in plastic, perched in the boot of the car. “Go get the turkey, Zachery,” Sienna moaned. “You get it,” said Zachery. “I’ve carried everything in.” Sienna poked out her tongue and turned on the television. Zachery pulled a face and flopped onto the couch.' (Publication summary)

'“You can’t keep it, Cody,” Josh said. “Why not?” I asked. “Well, it’s ugly, it blasts things and it fell into your garden from outer space,” Josh said.' (Publication summary)

'“There’s nothing good in here,” the fly croaked. “All the best stuff is down below — sausages, cake, eggs … vegetables …cheese.” He blinked and froze solid. Thing had been listening. “Down below” sounded like a great place!' (Publication summary)

'Marty looked at Titus snoring on his back. “I’m pretty sure Titus doesn’t want to be taught anything.”

'“Are you joking?” I cried. “Wait until he sees the obstacle course we’re going to build for him!”

'“We?” Marty asked. He looked at Titus, still snoring, and rolled his eyes.' (Publication summary)

'With her glasses on, Claire looked closer like Grandma had told her. She did see something she had never seen before. There was a big, yellow monster on the train!' (Publication summary)

'Bruno had his head under Miles’ desk. He was tying Miles’ shoelaces together.

'“Are you looking for Ming’s glasses, Bruno, or have you lost something?” asked Miss Fazio. Bruno jerked out from under the desk, bumping his head.

'“Lost something?” repeated Bruno. “Um, well, my mum says I lost my mind ages ago.”

'“I’m sure you won’t find it under Miles’ desk,” said Miss Fazio.' (Publication summary)

'Holly skipped up to Miles, who had his head between the steps and his bottom in the air. “Miles, what are you doing?”

'“I’m trying … to get … something … er, nothing,” said Miles, grunting and huffing. Holly peered behind the steps and watched Miles digging around the “nothing”. Miles had cleared the dirt away from the top of a small, metal box with a handle.

His heart began to race.' (Publication summary)

'Zara’s brother, Tai, wants to play. But Zara needs to do her homework. Can she find a solution to this problem?At last Heeni got to school, but the grounds were empty.

'“Oh no,” sighed Heeni. “The bell has already gone. I’ll be in trouble for being late.” Heeni had never been in trouble at school before.

'“Late, late, late. I am soooo late,” panted Heeni, as she rushed through the school gate.' (Publication summary)