Laura's Star

Laura's parents want to go to the opera. But then the babysitter cancels. With a huge effort Laura and her little brother Tommy manage to persuade their parents that they can stay at home by themselves. After the neighbour has promised to keep an eye on the children, and Laura's parents have written down their mobile number for emergencies, off they go.

In order to explain to the children why they can't phone their mother in America just now, their father uses an old globe of the world to show them where their mother's tour has taken her. In her imagination Laura pictures her Mama playing not only the cello but also all the other instruments - and even conducting the orchestra.

Laura envies her friend Sophie, who has a new torch. When they go for a walk that night Laura's Star shines its ray of light straight into Laura's lantern, but she still finds the torch extremely fascinating. So she takes advantage of a chance to "borrow" the torch secretly, and then she proudly shows it to Tommy, relishing his amazement.

Just as Laura is about to show her Star that she can tie her shoelaces by herself, she spots a little boy she's never seen before in the window opposite. His presence offends Laura, and she abandons her chat with the Star. When the same boy takes the last piece of cake at the baker's the next morning, she decides she hates him.

The Sternberg family is going on holiday. This time Papa has planned everything - and he keeps the arrangements secret until the very last minute. Mama is horrified when she discovers they're going on a camping trip. Tommy, on the other hand, thinks it's a great idea to play Indians. The drive is a nightmare and when they arrive they have to put up the tent in the rain and wind.

Laura's little brother is sick, which means for the first time she's going on a little holiday all by herself. She's going to stay with her grandparents, and granny takes her there by train. Of course Laura hopes her Star will come with her. It's lovely with granny and granddad, but Laura discovers that she misses her parents and her brother more and more.

For ages the children have been begging for a pet, but their parents think Laura and Tommy are too young. Today an opportunity arises to test the idea: the next-door neighbor is going away and asks the Sternbergs to look after his dog. Laura can just picture to herself how lovely it will be when she trains the dog to perform tricks - but of course, things don't work out exactly that way.

Laura's Papa takes her and Tommy to the zoo. When they get there she notices a family that doesn't seem to have any money - and this makes her think about the situation at home. She remembers her father saying his computer had crashed, and her mother complaining that one of her concerts had been called off: so soon they won't have any money, either!

It's autumn, which means it's time to go kite-flying. Naturally, Laura's father doesn't want to buy a kite: it's really easy to make one yourself! He builds a very large and very lovely kite which unfortunately simply won't fly. Laura refuses to be discouraged. All it takes is a few modifications, and tomorrow it will fly much higher than all the super-kites that other families have bought.

Laura is playing nicely with Sophie. Unfortunately, they are constantly disturbed by Tommy. So they lure Tommy into the yard with a treasure map they have made themselves, which shows gold buried there. While Tommy is busy digging, the girls can play in peace and quiet. But Papa is cross with them: leaving Tommy out of their game - and tricking him!

Laura and Sophie have built a tent. But when Paul turns up and wants to play with them, Sophie sends him away: she's jealous, because she knows Laura likes the boy. In her imagination Laura pictures herself and Paul as a Prince and Princess. But Paul doesn't know anything about this. It's his birthday, though, and Laura plans to tell him.

Fat little Harry Ballwanz is once again annoying all the children in the yard. First he walks all over Pascal's sandcastle, and then he picks a fight with Tommy and hits him really hard with his new boxing gloves. In her imagination Laura pictures of way of getting her own back on the boy. And her Star gives her an idea.

Laura finds a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest or been pushed out by its mother. Although her father isn't so keen on the idea, she takes the little bird into the apartment. But the next morning the bird is dead. And today's the day when great-grandma - Papa's grandma - is coming for a visit. When the old lady gets here she finds both the children are very sad.