In this thrilling, thunderous (and extra-long) Gaskitt story, Mrs Gaskitt finds a parcel, Mr Gaskitt loses a baby, Horace has mixed feelings about a bird, and the twins' teacher, Mrs Fritter, is - ooer! - not herself. Why? How? When? Why? (again). The children smell a rat!

Allan Ahlberg is one of the most acclaimed and successful authors of children’s books writing today. He has won numerous awards including the Kurt Maschler Award in 1986, the Children's Book Award in 1987, the Blue Peter Book Award 2001 and the Children's Book Award: Books for Young Children 2002. Among his numerous classic picture books are The Jolly Postman books, Burglar Bill, Peepo! and Each Peach Pear Plum. Allan’s books for Walker include The Snail House, Everybody Was a Baby Once, The Runaway Dinner, Previously and The Pencil. He lives in Bath.