Why can't I play? - Elizabeth Hawkins

It's the summer holidays, and a new girl arrives at the park. She's mean and bossy. She boasts about her house, with its lake full of boy-eating crocodiles, its dungeon towers and worse hazards. When the new girl's mother hands out party invitations, the children are naturally not so keen. Their parents think the party is a lovely idea and they agree to take the children.

The new girl's house does not have any horrible hazards, and the party is great fun. When it comes to blowing out the candles, the new girl makes a wish... that she can play with the children.