I am looking for a book which could be a stand alone story or an anthology involving a skunk and a seagull.  I found a card that had been made out of a page of this story or poem.

Following, are quotes from the portion of the text I have in my possession:

“They lived inside the hull of a steamboat upon a beach. Their life was far from dull.”

“3.  At 8 o’clock they ate breakfast with healthy appetite, and all day long they dug for clams to have a snack at night.  Then went on deck with a guitar, and danced in the moonlight”

“5.  All was serene, free and easy until a fateful day when the gull wasn’t home for tea.  The skunk had set the tray and waited with jam and muffins in front of the gangway.”

These portions appear on page 65 of the book.

Thanks again.

1960’s or 70’s adventure/mystery.  It was about a boy who dug for buried treasure outside of a castle or mansion.  I specifically remember that he dug for silver spoons under an olive tree.  I believe there were olive groves as well.

Her name may start with an “E”. Nuns at her school would go on about proper nail care – i.e, not showing “half moons”. Girl would also see movies with her friend by using a nickel or a dime and they had strange ratings like “A”, or “B”. May have taken place from 60s – to 80s.

One of my favorite books when I was young was a big book filled with pictures and stories. They were about children living in the same country house, I believe they were siblings and cousins. One of the little girls was named Sophie and I think she had black hair she wore in pigtails. One story was about her white lamb rocking horse that another child dumped black ink on. In order to find out which child had done it, all of the children had to line up and put their hands in a hidden box, which they were told would find the culprit. The box had flour or something in it, so all the children’s hands were covered in flour except the little boy who did it, because he was too nervous to put his hand in the box.

I feel like the book belonged to my mother or grandmother, and I have vague memories of reading it and thinking the clothing and wording seemed “old-fashioned.” I am 27 now, but I have no idea when the book was published.

I hope you can help!

Thank you!