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The Water Horse

(1998, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Dick King-Smith, Illustrated by David Parkins)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Another sweet animal tale from Babe author.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The Water Horse eats a swan and other birds.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The grandfather offers the postman a "wee dram."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Water Horse

Parents need to know that aside from the Water Horse eating a swan, there is little to be concerned about here.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the Loch Ness Monster. Do you think it could be real? Why or why not? How might a story like this have gotten started? Your children might be interested in doing a little research, and seeing supposed photos of the monster.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    loisj
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    Great book

    Loved this book! Read it to my 5-year-old and he was engrossed. I especially like that there are no "bad guys" and no violence. It's just a story about keeping a special creature secret so it stays safe from people who won't understand. I also like it because the protagonist is a resourceful girl (about 8 or 9 years old) with a younger brother (5 or 6) who is there for comic relief. Unfortunately, the movie version switched the role of the siblings so that the boy is the lead and older and the girl is marginal. So read the book--it's better than the Hollywood version, which apparently is based on the idea that boys are so much more suitable main characters that they will change the book for no other reason!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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