The Waterstone - Softcover

Rebecca Rupp

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0744590876 ISBN 13: 9780744590876

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

The world is drying, but Tad doesn't notice because he's busy playing with his spear, arguing with his sister, Birdie, and living the normal life of a youngling of the Fisher Tribe. But then he starts to have strange flashbacks. For Tad and Birdie, it's the beginning of an extraordinary adventure.

About this title

Review

The small world of the Fisher folk is drying up. The water in their green pond is lower every day, and the stream that feeds it has shrunk to a trickle. Young Tad (short for Tadpole) and his little sister, Birdie, set out with their father, Pondleweed, on a journey upstream to find the cause of this disastrous Drying Time, at the beginning of a quest that will lead them into strange adventures and terrible danger. When Pondleweed is enticed by mysterious music into drowning himself in a sinister black pool, the children take refuge with a wizened dryad, who helps Tad to realize that he has been given a magical gift that will help him save the Fishers and the other two tribes who make up the world, but not without sacrifice and terror.

This delightful miniature heroic fantasy is beautifully realized, from the details of the Fisher's tiny domestic arrangements to the eerie echoes of classical mythology. Rebecca Rupp has created a satisfyingly complete world, with its water-oriented Fishers, gypsy Hunters, and furry Diggers, overseen by the tree spirit Dryads, the earth spirit Kobolds, and the water spirit Nixies, all subject to the majestic Great Rune and the death-owl Obd. Despite his heroic role, Tad is a real boy, and that and the antics of his comical watchfrog, Pippit, keep this charming tale from becoming too solemn. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell

About the Author

Rebecca Rupp has written nonfiction articles for many national magazines on topics ranging from the history of blue jeans to the science of ice cream. She is also the author of several books, including the Book Sense 76 pick THE DRAGON OF LONELY ISLAND. Rebecca Rupp says of THE WATERSTONE, "When Josh, my oldest son, was six, he invented Pondleweed, a mysterious and magical caretaker of trees, streams, and frog ponds. From that first image of Pondleweed came the entire world of The Waterstone and all the people, places, and magic in it."

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0744590876
• ISBN 13: 9780744590876
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288