Most Popular Books by Dick King-Smith

The runt of the piglet litter is nicknamed Saddlebottom by the rest of the farm animals because the white marking of a saddleback has slipped a bit. Since he''s no good for showing, Saddlebottom is destined for the butchers. But he runs away and makes friends with a one-eyed cat called Bendigo.

Dick King-Smith, creator of ''Babe the Sheep-Pig'', presents the cleverest guinea pig in the world! Judy''s classmates snigger when she claims guinea pigs are brainy. But, when her guinea pigs have a baby son, she decides to call him Jenius and train him to prove her point. Soon he can do all kinds of clever tricks, and Judy can''t wait to show him off at school. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

A piglet comes to Farmer Hogget''s farm, where he is adopted by an old heepdog and accomplishes amazing things.

The Sheep-pig is one of Dick King-Smith''s most famous tales. It shot to further fame when the film adaptation, Babe, was released in 1995. ''Why can''t I learn to be a Sheep-Pig?'' When Babe, the little orphaned piglet, is won at a fair by Farmer Hogget, he is adopted by Fly, the kind-hearted sheep-dog. Babe is determined to learn everything he can from Fly. He knows he can''t be a sheep-dog. But maybe, just maybe, he might be a sheep-pig. ''An unexpectedly thrilling, funny charmer of a book'' - Guardian ''Dick King-Smith is a huge favourite with children'' - Observer ***Winner of the Guardian Fiction Award*** Dick King-Smith served in the Grenadier Guards during the Second World War, and afterwards spent twenty years as a farmer in Gloucestershire, the country of his birth. Many of his stories are inspired by his farming experiences. He wrote a great number of children''s books, including The Sheep-Pig (winner of the Guardian Award and filmed as Babe), Harry''s Mad, Noah''s Brother, The Queen''s Nose, Martin''s Mice, Ace, The Cuckoo Child and Harriet''s Hare (winner of the Children''s Book Award in 1995). In 2009 he was made an OBE for services to children''s literature. Dick King-Smith died in 2011 at the age of eighty-eight.

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

Flora, the world''s most educated mouse, saves her family during a crisis.

When seventy-five-year-old Henny Hickathrift runs away from the old people''s home, she meets five children and their parents who welcome her into their family.

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.

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.

When a mysterious bird arrives in Godhanger Wood to protect the frightened animals from the cruel gamekeeper, this Christ-figure deliberately sacrifices himself to save them from death.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse ("Wolf," for short) has a big name for such a little mouse. But the name fits. His favorite pastime is listening to Mrs. Honeybee, the lady of the house, play the piano. If only he could sing along to the music! One day, Wolf decides to try -- and to his surprise, out of his mouth comes a perfect melody. It''s not long before Wolf is singing everything from "Three Blind Mice" to Chopin to the Beatles, all to Mrs. Honeybee''s accompaniment. Then an accident leaves Mrs. Honeybee in danger, and it''s up to Wolf to save her... the only way he knows how.

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. . . .

"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)

A runt piglet born with deformed front feet is coached in swimming by a duck and an otter and, when the pig farm is flooded, becomes a hero.

Muriel is known as the Catlady, because she lives alone with just her many cats for company. When a new kitten is born, it soon becomes clear that it’s no ordinary cat. Vicky is a kitten with a very regal character, and strangely enough, she was born on the very day that Queen Victoria died!

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.