EDDIE'S TOOLBOX AND HOW TO MAKE AND MEND THINGS

Eddie gets the opportunity to help new neighbors with their fixer-upper house and to make a haven for the birds.

A moving van next door means that there might be some new friends to play with. Mum and Eddie and his little sister Lily go outside to greet the newcomers, and, indeed, it's a single dad with a daughter just about Lily's age named Tilly. The dad, whose name is Tom, asks Eddie if he'd like to help make a few things that the house needs, and Eddie eagerly agrees. First they make a bed, and Tom shows Eddie how to make a tiny boat for Lily to play with in the bath. The next day, they put together shelves and wall hooks for the kitchen; Mum makes a big lunch for the five of them. While everyone is eating, Eddie notices that Pusskin the cat has killed a sparrow, and everyone reacts with sadness. Then Eddie gets an idea: With Tom's help, he builds a tall platform on a pole where the birds can safely land and feed. It turns out to be a good day after all. A terrific appendix describes all of Eddie's tools, safety tips for using them and instructions for making a "Bird Table."

Garland packs a lot of learning into her good-hearted tale of friendship and helping.