Frank de Koning – illustratör

This illustrated story is about eight year old Gem and her ten year old brother, Henri. They overhear their mother and grandma talk. The word 'nuisance' is used. This is a word their mother uses for them all the time. Their mother says that they are nuisances and she wants to get rid of them. Therefore, they think that they are talking about them. They fear that they are going to be left behind in the woods. They are very upset. Then, the fairy-tale Hansel and Gretel springs to mind. They decide to be prepared by filling their rucksacks with useful things, which will help them to find their way out of the woods. The day arrives. Their mother picks them up from school and says she is taking them for a picnic in the woods. They panic. Their rucksacks are at home. Luckily, Gem has some things in her schoolbag that can help, such as silver paper she is collecting for an art project, marbles and a penlight. Henri has his birthday presents with him; his compass clip watch, a torch head light and night-vision goggles. They breathe a little easier.Once in the woods, they find out that their mother took the slugs and snails from their garden to leave there. She had been telling them about these amazing creatures all week. Now, Gem and Henri are happy and they enjoy a picnic. Then, when it is time to go home, they realise that they are lost. It grows very dark; scary sounds are heard. They are all afraid. At last Gem shines her penlight on some bushes and the silver paper she threw on them, shimmers. They escape the woods. Their dad is waiting at the car park with a joke.