The Bricklayers' Secret

This charming story about a damaged house brick, not fit to be cemented into a wall, is a delight to read. The author has an instinctive ability as a story-teller for children, and has entered into the child’s point of view very well. He has infused a huge amount of drama and charm into this simple story. The author clearly has a sense of humour, which comes out in his characterisation. Of all the inanimate objects, a brick is probably the hardest to make appealing and characterful. However, he has managed it to beautiful effect.