The Water Horse - Softcover

King-Smith, Dick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0375842314 ISBN 13: 9780375842313

Publisher: Yearling, 2007

Synopsis

Dick King-Smith’s classic story about a very unusual pet—a water horse!—returns with a charming new cover to win over a new generation of readers!
 
When eight-year-old Kirstie finds a strange egg near her home, she has no idea what will come out. Part horse, part toad, part turtle, and part crocodile? Only Kirstie’s grandfather knows what it is: a water horse! While it is certainly the oddest-looking creature Kirstie has ever seen, it is also the gentlest. But soon, the unusual pet gets bigger. And bigger. And BIGGER. Will Kirstie and her family be able to keep their new pet or will he have to make a splash in someone else’s home?
 
“A rich, mostly tender fairy tale that combines elements of such children’s classics as The Secret of Roan Inish, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, and Born Free. . . . Combining the best of fantasy and somber reflection, The Water Horse is a lovely ride.” —The Washington Post on the film adaptation
 
“Well-written, fast-paced . . . with appealing, distinctive characters, humor, and drama. King-Smith’s imaginative spin on an old myth makes the outrageous possible.” —Booklist 
 
“One of the most delightful children’s authors.” —The Guardian on Dick King-Smith

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

ear-old Kirstie and her family go beach coming near their home in Scotland, she finds something that looks like a giant fish egg, and is just too interesting to leave on the beach. So she brings it home and sneaks it into the bathtub overnight. The next morning, she is surprised to find that the egg has hatched, but the newborn is unlike anything anyone has seen before. With a long neck, head like a horse, skin like a toad's, flippers like a turtle, and a tail like a crocodile, her brother Angus declares it a monster. Grandfather knows better and tells them it's a kelpie, or what he calls a water horse. The family keeps the baby and names it Crusoe. But as Crusoe grows, he becomes a bigger and bigger problem--literally. They are forced to find him a new home, away from people and boats.  They settle on a beautiful Loch, now known as Loch Ness. From the author of beloved Babe comes the soon-to-be-classic story of how--thanks to the love and kindness of the human family that raises him--the Lo

From the Back Cover:

MONSTER MADNESS

When eight-year-old Kirstie brings home a strange egg from the Scottish shore, her family never expects it to hatch. But the next day, Kirstie discovers a baby sea monster swimming in her bathtub! Part horse, part toad, part turtle, and part crocodile, he's the oddest-looking creature Kirstie's family has ever seen. Only Kirstie's grandfather knows what the beastie really is -- a Water Horse!

This lovable creature is the perfect pet. The only trouble is, he can't stop growing! He gets bigger. And BIGGER. And BIGGER. Before long, he's outgrown nearly every loch in sight. Will they ever find a home that's large enough for their Water Horse?

About this edition

• Publisher: Yearling
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0375842314
• ISBN 13: 9780375842313
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128
• Illustrator: Parkins David