New Releases by Dick King-Smith

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.

Meet Ace, Babe''s great-grandson, who also gets a new cover from Knopf Paperbacks this season. " A Horn Book Fanfare Honor Book An IRA/CBC Children''s Choice A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.

"Martin, a kitten, is branded a `wimp'' by his siblings for his friendly interest in mice. He loves caring for them and can''t understand their desire for freedom. Only when he becomes the pet of a big city apartment dweller does he realize why his pets deserted him. An engaging animal fantasy with plenty of humorous insight into the human condition, King-Smith''s story has humor and a fast pace which will appeal to younger readers."--School Library Journal (starred review)

Emily was like her ninety-nine brothers and sisters, until she won all the eight-legged races at spider sports. People grew suspicious. And then, they counted her legs. She had ten! It''s not her fault, but everyone turns against her. But there''s something very special about Emily''s legs that will change her life for ever . . .

WHO''S MORE IMPORTANT than the Queen? Whom does she serve? Her royal corgis, of course! But life isn’t just royal thrones and unlimited biscuits for young Titus, Her Majesty’s favorite pup. There are burglars to catch, fires to put out, leaking tubs to attend to, and jealous cousins to deal with. In the end, though, it’s the Queen’s edict that matters most: “Titus Rules!” Dick King-Smith, beloved author of Babe: The Gallant Pig, offers a delightfully entertaining book to inspire readers with love for young Titus, and also with love for reading. “Kids will enjoy the engaging Titus; the fast-moving, witty prose; and the adventures inspired by loyalty and royalty, whether two legged or four. Comic drawings add to the fun.”—Booklist

Being a duck isn’t all it’s quacked up to be. But don’t try telling that to Frank—he’s a chicken with a dream. All he thinks about are webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and the cool water of the pond. So when Frank takes a dip and nearly drowns, his mood turns foul. Luckily, he gets a little human help—in the form of a man-made wet suit and a pair of flippers—and soon he’s the speediest bird in the water. And while Frank knows he’s ruffled a few feathers, he doesn’t care—there’s just too much for him to crow about. Until a certain young chick catches his eye, that is. . . .

Farmer Skint and his family have fallen on hard times at Woebegone Farm until their goose lays a golden egg. With the birth of Joy the Golden Goose, the fortune of the Skint family begins to change. But what will happen when people find out about their golden-feathered friend? How long can they keep Joy a secret? From beloved author Dick King-Smith comes the heartwarming story of a magical golden goose perfect for beginning readers.

BAD-TEMPERED RUNAWAY CAMEL. Funny, fast, and satisfying--a hilarious yarn from the "master of animal stories."* Tired of his lonely life at the zoo, Hezekiah--an ornery, very hairy Bacrian camel--busts out and heads across country. His adventure leads him to an eccentric (and equally hairy) aristocrat, a new life at a wildlife park, and company in the form of a female camel. Laughs, action, short chapters, and a genuine appreciation of the animal world make this a satisfying choice for newly independent readers. Nick Bruel''s antic black-and-white drawing add to the fun. *The Guardian (London)

Aristotle, a little white kitten, goes to live with a witch in an old cottage, where he finds so many opportunities for risky adventures that he soon has only one life left.

Oink! Oink! Pigs...beautiful? Who''d have guessed? Read and Wonder books tell stories, take children on adventures, and reveal how big and WONDER-full the natural world really is.

A quick-witted swineherd and a pig named Lollipop are royally rewarded after they reform a spoiled princess.

Befriending a stray cat helps a very determined five-year old adjust to school, learn about friends, and pursue her dream of one day becoming a farmer. A sequel to "Sophie''s Snail."

Rural life both past and present has never been depicted with such perfectly matched pictures and words.

Lorsque Harry vit pour la première fois Madison, il fit la grimace ! Pourquoi son oncle d''Amérique, l''oncle Georges, lui avait-il donc légué un perroquet africain, âgé de quarante ans et muet ? Harry eut la réponse à cette question quand Madison commença à l''aider à faire ses devoirs, confia à sa mère le secret de succulents gâteaux et fit faire à son père de formidables progrès aux mots croisés... Car Madison était loin d''être muet !

Saddlebottom''s mother considers him a disgrace to his breed because his saddle-shaped patch is on his bottom instead of his back. But with help from Bendigo the cat, Saddlebottom proves her wrong. Suggested level: primary.

Illustrated in black-and-white. When her parents can''t afford a new pet, seven-year-old Janie invents one. Her new pretend dog is Henry, an invisible Great Dane who eats invisible food bought with invisible money. Then some mysterious events--and perhaps a touch of magic--bring the invisible Henry to life.

Sophie, the small but determined would-be farmer of Sophie''s Snail and Sophie''s Tom, is back in this delightful sequel. As her sixth birthday approaches, Sophie gains a new pet and makes a new friend who is lucky enough to live on a real farm.

Flora was born on the first day of term in the new school year, which might be why she’s a very special mouse indeed – a mouse who has taught herself to read! Flora lives in a classroom, and is determined to learn all sorts of things that no mouse has ever learned before. Her family is horrified at first, but then Flora’s reading saves their lives …

A community of chickens continually preyed on by hungry foxes is saved by the birth of three wonder chicks, who grow into magnificent flying machines and lead a climatic barnyard battle.

Sophie, a young girl who takes a no-nonsense approach to life''s problems, pursues her dream of becoming a "lady farmer."

Three books in one featuring Sophie, a little girl who loves animals and wants to be a farmer some day. Her best friend is great-great-aunt Al and her worst enemy is a girl called Dawn. Follow her adventures in these three titles - "Sophie''s Snail", "Sophie''s Tom" and "Sophie Hits Six."

Babe the pig is befriended by the farmer''s dog, who teaches Babe how to herd sheep.

A pig that herds sheep.

A poetic look at animals through the alphabet, from the anaconda to the zambra.

There are six of them in the pet shop window - five pedigree puppies and a scruffy little mongrel with a grand ambition - to be a guard dog. The others laugh at him. How can he ever hope to be bought to guard someone''s home? Dick King-Smith was named Children''s Author of the Year in 1991.

Ace is a very special pig. He seems to understand everything Farmer Tubbs says, and soon becomes one of the most popular members of the farmyard. He gradually makes himself at home in the farmhouse where Megan the corgi reigns supreme.

An ALA Booklist “Best of the Decade” and an ALA Notable Book, from the author of Babe: The Gallant Pig. Daggie may be the runt of the litter, but he’s destined for greatness. Daggie Dogfoot, the runt of Mrs. Barleylove’s litter, is in danger. Not even Mrs. Barleylove knows what the Pigman does with runts when he takes them away from the pen. But Daggie is a pig of remarkable qualities, and he’s not about to let the Pigman get him. Instead, Daggie runs away and decides to learn how to fly. But when he tries leaping off a cliff, he discovers another talent—a talent he’ll need to save the entire farm . . . “It’s impossible to remain unmoved . . . a soaring, heartening fantasy.”—Publishers Weekly

"The hedgehog family of number 5A are a happy bunch but they dream of reaching the Park. Unfortunately, a very busy road lies between them and their goal and no one has found a way to cross it in safety. No one, that is, until the determined young Max decides to solve the problem once and for all."--Back cover.