Bella and the Voyaging House MEG MCKINLAY ILLUSTRATED BY NICHOLAS SCHAFER FREMANTLE PRESS
One What do you think Grandad looked up with a twinkle in his eye Any ideas Bella stared at Grandad’s workbench As usual it was covered in springs and screws and something or others of all shapes and sizes Last week there had been metal pipes and an old lawnmower engine This week there were leather belts and what looked like the remains of a colourful kite Maybe two kites As usual Grandad was working on one of his special and somewhat strange but sure to be spectacular inventions And as even more usual Bella had absolutely no idea what it was She picked up a belt buckle and turned it over as if searching for a clue Then she shook her head You know I can never guess She knew Grandad loved this the mystery of it the surprise on her face when a tangle of pipes turned into a periscope or a pile of plant pots into a water wheel Or even best of all when the wood from an old boat turned into a very special bedroom Ah well I guess you’ll just have to wait and see Grandad tousled her hair How about we have our snack then Bella nodded and they made their way over to the table near the back door She set her school bag down and settled into a chair while Grandad went inside
