The Children of Bird God Hill by Iris Macfarlane
Hidden in a clearing of the jungle in Assam stands a ruined temple. One magical summer two English children turn it into a sanctuary for sick animals, brought to them by an Indian boy and his grandmother. The boy plays the flute as sweetly as Krishna, the blue god, and like Krishna he claims to understand the language of animals.
Phyllida and Annabelle are puzzled by him, and tantalised by the grandmother's muttered riddles. It is only after an appalling discovery shatters the summer's spell that Phyllida finds the key to the riddles and thence to the ancient secret of the temple.
An anteater, a python, a lame tortoise, a monkey and a baby owl called Walt are just some of the characters in this entertaining story, which evokes all the magic and mystery of India.
Illustrated by Susan Shaw.