Being easily persuaded, especially by Bob (my own first published book was written at his invitation), I said I would. When I arrived at the Nelson office later that day, Bob handed me a glass of wine and a copy of the book, 'hot offthe press', and found me a secluded spot where I might hastily absorb,imbibe and evaluate both the book and the wine.On first tasting, both appeared a bit young, rough and undeveloped.

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1 A Storybook Childhood

CHAPTER 2 Myths, Magic andMusic

CHAPTER 3 My Grandma Livedin Gooligulch

CHAPTER 4 Animalia

CHAPTER 5 Jabberwocky

CHAPTER 6 The Eleventh Hour

CHAPTER 7 The Signofthe Seahorse

CHAPTER 8 The Discovery ofDragons

CHAPTER 9 The Worst Band in the Universe

CHAPTER 10 TheWaterhole

CHAPTER 11 TruckDogs

CHAPTER 12 Jungle Drums

CHAPTER 13 Uno's Garden

CHAPTER 14 Enigma

A Chronology of Books and Awards

Acknowledgements

Index