Promotional Information

A charming story about a little boy and his new pet ...

About the Author

Dick King-Smith served in the Grenadier Guards during the Second World War, and afterwards spent twenty years as a farmer in Gloucestershire, the county of his birth. Many of his stories are inspired by his farming experiences. Later he taught at a village primary school. His first book, The Fox Busters, was published in 1978. 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 Hodgeheg, Martin's Mice, Ace, The Cuckoo Child and Harriet's Hare (winner of the Children's Book Award in 1995). At the British Book Awards in 1991 he was voted Children's Author of the Year. In 2009 he was made OBE for services to children's literature. Dick King-Smith died in 2011 at the age of eighty-eight. Nigel Anthony is a theatre, television and radio actor. His theatre work includes Twelfth Night, Dutch Uncle, Happy End, The Taming Of The Shrew for the Royal Shakespeare Company and seasons at Scarborough and Chichester. Television appearances include Ted Roach in Casualty (series one and two), The Diary of Anne Frank, Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders and Doctors. He has spent a large part of his career working in radio drama where he won two awards for best performances. A well-known voice on TV commercials and promos, he has just celebrated 60 years since his first broadcast.

Reviews

'A contemporary, lighthearted version of the "Ugly Duckling" tale.'
*School Library Journal*

'As usual, King-Smith provides a harmonious blend of poignant and rib-tickling scenes, in which human and animal characterisations are crafted with equal skill and originality. Readers who have relished the antics of such memorable stars as Babe the Gallant Pig and his grandson Ace will fall in love with Oliver, the ugly gosling who wins the affection of almost everyone he meets.'
*Publishers Weekly*

'This gentle story will grace the author's long list of well-loved animal fantasies.'
*School Library Journal*