The Water Horse [Paperback]

Dick King-Smith (Author), David Parkins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: November 13, 2007 | Age Range: 6 - 9 years

Now in paperback! From the award-winning author of Babe: The Gallant Pig comes the story of how the Loch Ness monster finds his home, thanks to the human family that raises him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"The cozy domestic formula that has worked well for the author in other venues translates smoothly to this setting," said PW of this legend of the Loch Ness monster's origins. Ages 8-10. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Set in the 1930s, this story tells of a young Scottish girl, Kirstie, and her brother, Angus, who find a mysterious egg capsule washed up on shore after a storm and take it home. To their delight, this "mermaid's purse" hatches into a lovable sea monster they call Crusoe. It keeps growing and growing, until finally it is too big to live anywhere but in nearby Loch Ness. Children who enjoy animal stories will welcome one about this unusual creature. The characters are believable and, since King-Smith relates events from the point of view of the water horse as well as those of Kirstie and her family, readers get to know the friendly, not-at-all-fearsome monster. Occasional black-and-white illustrations effectively complement the text. Crusoe is bound to make a splash with children everywhere.
Linda W. Tilden, Cherry Hill Library, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375842314
• ISBN-13: 978-0375842313
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.3 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dick King-Smith was a farmer for twenty years before becoming a writer, and most of his animal stories are based on his farming experiences. He won the Guardian Award with The Sheep-Pig, which became the blockbuster film Babe. Dick lives in Gloucestershire.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a cute book on 'Nessie' January 5, 2008

By ellen VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I have to say the advertisements for the movie of The Water Horse prompted me to look to the book it was based on and what a cutie of a book it is -
Set in 1930's Scotland, after a huge storm a family goes to the shore to see what has washed up - and they found something very strange -
maybe something alive? an egg? what is it?
Well the kids take it inside and place it in the tub with water - to their surprise when they go to the tub the next morning, the container is open! And there is a cute creature that 'chirrups' at them - the grandfather tells them it is a water horse - the kind of creature that is of legend in the lochs of Scotland -
They feed the little fella and call him Crusoe and soon he needs to be placed in a pond, then a larger pond and when he is almost too big, the family takes him to a large loch to spend his life -
The family loves him and he loves them and learns that all humans aren't like them -
It is a story of love for the family and love of an innocent animal that has charmed the world with its legendary existence -
I plan to see the movie, but my imagination soared as I imagined the tiny water horse in the bathtub eating sardines...
Charming!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Water Horse by: Dick king-Smith December 2, 2004

By Mason 5th_Grade

Format:Paperback

If you're into exitement, adventure, & mystery then read The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith. In this book you will find that a girl named Kirstie finds an egg on the beach and keeps it for a pet. But, Kirstie doesn't know that the egg she has is really a ferocious monster. Kirstie finds out that every day when she checks on the monster it never stops growing. I would recommend this book to anyone that's into adventure and mystery because this book is very interesting in a weird sort of way!

Sincerely,

Luis

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book - but don't see the movie December 30, 2007

By N. Jacobsen

Format:Paperback

This is a sweet story, appropriate for young children starting at about age 5. It is very low stress, benign. Just right for parents who are tired of stories about violence and meanness and seek out magical tales full of caring and goodness. Too bad they took this darling tale and turned it into a terrible hollywood movie full of canons, war, a dead father and chase scenes. In saying this I give nothing away about the book, because NONE of this was from the book.