Hamish loves stories. He especially loves listening to his grandpa, who reads with lots of expression. Hamish's brother, Nathan, is a good reader, too. Actually, Nathan is a genius. Hamish himself is just smart, or thinks he's smart until he starts third grade, and his teacher, Miss Margin, asks him to read aloud. Instead of reading, he makes up a wild story about the Happy Jolly Farming Cow. Before too long, Hamish's secret is out. Miss Margin escorts Hamish to Mr. Robinson, the reading teacher, who tells Hamish that reading is a very serious matter. Still, Hamish insists on making up stories instead of reading the flashcards. Mr. Robinson sends Hamish home with a note to his parents, who are stunned to learn that Hamish can't read. Eventually Nathan steps in, persuading Mom and Dad to buy Hamish a toy truck if he learns to read a children's picture book. Hamish has always wanted an awesome toy truck, but is he up to the challenge? Kate Walker's witty, sensitive text answers that question in a beautifully illustrated story with an important message about conquering fears and setting and surpassing new goals.

 

There are 88 pages in this book. This book was published 2007 by Cricket Books, a division of Carus Publishing Co .

Ella Holcombe is the author of a collection of poetry, Welcome/No Vacancy . David Cox worked as a jackaroo on outback sheep and cattle stations before enrolling, at 21, at St Martins School of Art in London. Back in Australia he became a newspaper artist, winning a Walkley Award, while also illustrating and writing many award-winning children's books, including four CBCA-shortlisted titles. In 2007 he won the Dame Annabelle Rankin Award for distinguished services to Children's Literature in Queensland. David works from his home studio in Brisbane, and one of his hobbies is singing. He is coached by his wife, pianist/composer, Betty Beath. Betty and David have written music theater pieces about St Francis of Assisi, and David regularly acts as cantor at St Phillips Church, which is attached to a Franciscan friary.