THE LUCKY THIRTEEN

Thirteen stories about children from as many different countries reveal the author's knowledge about the customs and atmosphere of each as well as her ability to spin a good yarn. We meet the troublesome little mongoose of an Indian family who steals Grandmother's bracelets but redeems himself forever by saving the clan from a vicious cobra. Unhappy little Helga meets a new friend at a whaling station in Iceland; ingenious Kirk, frustrated by an errand for mother, discovers a short cut over a frozen canal in Holland and arrives at his party in time to devour the mouthwatering kockjes; Japanese Tomlo knows he can never afford the red bycycle of his dreams, and so he goes in search of ancient treasure (which turns out to be stolen goods) and a perfect reward. Bolstering these are tales from Lapland, Brazil, southern U.S.A., France, Switzerland, etc.- any of which can be used as supplementary reading in the school curriculum or merely as rewarding relaxation.