New Releases by Margaret Mahy

In the first of these two short stories, Bassington, a rich little boy who has never had a birthday, decides to steal one from Mrs. Herringbone and Joanna Joy. In the second story, headmistress Tatiana Taffeta seeks an affluent farmer''s hand in marriage.

Lolly Bancroft, whose mother was a Fortune, has always wanted to be a member of the Good Fortunes Gang, and when her father leaves home, Lolly welcomes it as an opportunity to be a real Fortune --at first ... Suggested level: primary.

Seven Chinese brothers elude execution by virtue of their extraordinary individual qualities. Suggested level: juniors, primary.

A fiddle provides more effective protection than a gun; a wobbly table gets fixed; a giant''s daughter saves the day when school is flooded; the residents of Number 10 Timber Lane form a band, using kitchen utensils as instruments, as well as two short poems. Suggested level: junior, primary.

Relates the tangled events that lead the students of the Unexpected School on Hurricane Peak to foil the wicked Sir Quincey and his accomplices and to solve several mysteries.

Designed to introduce children to a wide range of social activities and relationships as well as general life skills.

After a brief acquaintance with the Villain who lives in the big tree next to her family''s new house, Julia concludes that There''s nothing like a Villain to keep things interesting.

Relates how the young hero Tai was born to a strong, hairy sea captain and the sister of the moon.

Crocodile saves the day when Sally O''Mally cannot dance Swan Lake.

A ghost decides to do something about the lighthouse which keeps blinking all night.

David and his mother outsmart the witch that comes to sample their freshly baked cakes.