Andrew Henry's meadow

the long version

To most everyone, Andrew Henry Thatcher's enthusiasm for building things was a nuisance. Even the helicopter in the kitchen and the merry-go-round hitched to the sewing machine seemed to get in the way. So, one day, Andrew Henry quietly packed and moved to a meadow. Before long Alice Burdock, who liked birds, turned up. Her father didn't care for birds. Then George Turner came along with his boats and paddle wheel. And soon, six other children, each with a special interest that nobody seemed to appreciate. How Andrew Henry aroused the whole town, and accidentally found a happy solution to his problem, is a captivating story. Almost more absorbing are the detailed drawings of his ingenious and quite buildable inventions. - First page.