The magpie's companion Book

Two hungry squirrels, little Digger and Old-and-Gray, have been busy picking blackberries. All their hard work rewards them with the biggest pile of blackberries that little Digger has ever seen, so big that Old-and-Gray sets off to find a way to carry them home. Little Digger is left in charge. "Don't eat too many - just a few," instructs Old-and-Gray.

Who can blame a cute little squirrel for trying just a few blackberries? The problem is when a mouse passerby asks for a few as well, and if mouse is allowed a few, then shouldn't duck and baby rabbit also be welcomed? . . . and it seems only right that little Digger should partake of a few more along with each new passerby. Upon his return, Old-and-Gray discovers four blackberry-stained critters and JUST ONE blackberry remaining.

There's no need for words after this. Sam McBratney brilliantly sets up the story and Ivan Bates carries home the message with the tell-tale expressions of wrong-doing within the illustrations. The lesson needs no more explanation, and that is a sign of an excellent children's book! Granted, whether it was little Digger or Old-and-Gray that learned the greater lesson, that may be debatable!