Related Subjects: Author Index Reviews Page 1 2 3 4
Book reviews for "Smith,_Dick" sorted by average review score:

Babe - The Gallant Pig: The Gallant Pig
Published in Paperback by Random House (Juv) (1997)
Authors: Dick King-Smith, Mary Rayner, and Smith Dick King
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Truly a classic animal tale
Babe captured my heart, as he was trying to save his own skin. This book is truly a classic animal tale, where the creatures take on believable and human emotions and personalities. We see intelligence, fear, hope, and love, in a heartwarming pig, and his other animal friends. The inter-species bond between Babe and his human farmer is delightful! I have read it several times, and each time, see another angle, in this Pig-Shepherd memoir. Should not be limited to any age group, because adults as well as children will be entertained.
Arlene Millman
author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY
(The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier)

The Best Sheep-pig Ever
When I read the book I thought it was great. I think that Babe set a good example because he never gave up.Babe is a pig that wants to be a sheep-dog.But since he is a pig he can't.But he still tried and his owner entered him in the sheep dog trials.I dont want to spoil the ending for youso that is all I have to say.

Babe the best pig
I had to read Babe in school. I didn't think I'd like it but I really did. I think Babe is very nice. He was always kind to others and never tried to be mean in any way. He got people (sheep) to obey him by just being kind. I think people in the whole world should read Babe and try to be like him.


Ace: The Very Important Pig
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (1999)
Authors: Dick King-Smith and Lynette Hemmant
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Loved it!
This is an excellent book by an excellent author. I've never been disappointed in one of his books and this is one of his best! I wish it could have been longer or that there were a sequel to it. The main characters are Farmer Tubbs and a lot of animals that live on his farm. I recomment this book for anyone who likes pigs, animals, or humorous stories. It's probably more of a child's book, but I think everyone would enjoy it.

Extraordinary!!
This book is very exciting I learned about how ACE the pig can communicate with his owner. He has alot of adventures. I would reccommend this book to any age I think it would brighten anyone`s day to hear about a big fat pig that made me laugh. It`s a book that you can`t put down but sometimes you have to . I would give it five golden stars. ACE the pig, Nanny the lamb and Megan,are all the people that live on Ted Tubbs Farm. ACE isn`t an ordinary pig If you want to find out why, you should read this book.

Ace: The House Pig
This is another Dick King-Smith favorite of many people. This author has a way with words..............especially with Ace; he can understand HUMAN WORDS! He and his owner share a bond somehow; they can "understand" each other. Named Ace after the Ace of clubs (because he has a club-shaped birthmark), he doesn't want to go where his brothers and sisters are going, and he's prepared to do anything as long as he doesn't have to......he doesn't really have to do anything, though because of his talent, although he DOES makes peace with the farmer's pets, Megan & Clarence. Ace, along with lots of other King-Smith's pigs, is better than E.B. White's Wilbur.


I Love Guinea Pigs
Published in Library Binding by Turtleback Books (2001)
Authors: Dick King-Smith and Anita Jeram
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An excellent introduction to the care of guinea pigs!
I bought this book for my daughter just before we got her first pets, two guinea pigs! The pictures are lovely and the book covers guinea pig likes and dislikes, as well as their basic needs from vitamin c to clean water. The best part though is the author's continued assertation that guinea pigs love to be cuddled!

Absolutely charming!!
If you don't have a guinea pig, this book will make you want to get one

Exquisite!!!
I think adults can enjoy the book as well. Smith is charming, witty and very knowledgeable about the species.


The Danger
Published in Audio Cassette by Dh Audio (1986)
Authors: Dick Francis and Tim Pigott-Smith
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An unusual mystery
This highly enjoyable mystery is unusual in many ways, from the main character who is NOT a detective or police officer to the villains (kidnappers), plus the clever way Dick Francis worked the milieu he knows best (horses and horse racing) into each of the three kidnappings.
The main character, Andrew Douglas, is a partner in a firm which negotiates for the release of kidnap victims/hostages by working as an "advisor" to police, governments, and occasionally taking things into his own hands (unofficially) as demonstrated in the second kipnapping in the story. Andrew shares many traits with other Dick Francis heroes--he is honest, likeable, an all-around good guy who trumps the criminals and gets the girl in the end. In this novel, Andrew himself is not connected with horses or horse racing, but rather the connection comes from the fact that all of the kidnapping victims share a connection to the horse racing world, be it as a female jockey, a part-owner of a promising race horse, the owner of a race track, and the head of the Jockey Club. From these tenuous links, Andrew and his partners realize that the perpetrator is probably known to the horse racing world, and begin to try to trap him, but not before one more kidnapping takes place!
Like his other novels, this one too is a very easy, fast read, and takes readers from Italy to England to America before winding up most satisfactorily.
I also liked the other characters in the novel, particularly some of Andrew's partners (described and fleshed out thoughtfully and with humor) and his love-interest.
Readers will also learn something about horse racing, this time mostly from the perspective of a trainer and a jockey, as well as come away from the novel with a good sense of what it is like to go to the races, even if they have never attended.
If you have never read anything by Dick Francis, this novel is an excellent place to begin.

This one is exceptional!
This is one of Francis' best. As with most of the best ofDick Francis' books, the hero here is truly human and has doubts and worries and feels pain and desire while also acting fairly super-human when confronted with difficult situations. This time the plot is tight and excellent and the characters are well-developed and grow in the course of the novel. There are good supporting characters and a good romantic story. I recommend this on if you are just finding Dick Francis.

One of the best written mysteries I have ever read.
One of the things I like about Dick Francis is that even though his stories involve horses and race courses, etc., you don't have to know anything about horses to understand and enjoy his books.

I believe 'The Danger' is one of his best. It's amazing how this man capures so well the emotions of all the characters in this book: the kidnapped girl jockey, her grieving father, the insensitive father of the kidnapped child, and the mother who was made to feel guilty, even the sinister and very dangerous kidnapper. Everyone!

I was on the edge of my seat the whole book. I tell you Dick Francis is superb.


A Mouse Called Wolf
Published in Audio Cassette by BBC Consumer Publishing (01 July, 1999)
Authors: Dick King-Smith and Patricia Routledge
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Warm hearts
Dick King-Smith writes another fabulous book. This wonderful story of friendship and heroes is an inspiration to people of all ages. It speaks about friendship, family and aspiring to do your best. As always the characters come to life and become the readers new best friend.

A charming children's story about music and aging
I read "A Mouse Called Wolf" after several students in the elementary school where I am the librarian urged me to read it. They told me I'd love it and they were right!

This is a charming story about a mouse who discovers he can sing, in the process saving his sibling mice from the cat in the house and becoming the companion of elderly Mrs. Honeybee who teaches Wolf new songs on her piano.

It's a simple and appealing story line, but I applaud Dick King-Smith for tackling two subjects not usually found in children's literature. On the one hand he skillfully interweaves musical terms and concepts, and on the other hand he paints a sympathetic portrait of the life of an elderly widow living alone.

This delightful tale should be welcome in the home of musical families or where children need a glimpse into the life of a lonely senior citizen. The adult readers of this story will have many private chuckles over the tunes Mrs. Honeybee chooses to teach her singing mouse: everything from the Beatles' "Help!" to showtunes such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'."

Lookng for A Mouse Called Wolf
A Mouse Called Wolf By: Dick King - Smith

A Mouse Called Wolf is a great story! Wolf's real name is Wolfgang Amadeus. Wolf lives with his mother and twelve other children in a mouse hole in the house of Mrs. Honeybee. In the book he learns how to sing, the songs are really cute. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes animal stories and funny stories. In the book Wolf composes a song. The book is easy to read. I really liked reading this book! By: Laura


Mr Ape
Published in Paperback by Random House (Merchandising) (1999)
Authors: Dick King-Smith and Roger Roth
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Remarkable !!!
Mr. Ape is an eccentric man.His wife has left him and dismissed all his servants.Although most people would be sad that their wife would leave them after 30 years of marriage,Mr. Ape was delighted at the idea that his wife was leaving him as she was very bossy.Apparently,Mr. Ape is very fond of animals and bought 12 hens.Gypsies named Jake and his father Joe are living quite near his place.Jake's donkey was roaming near Mr. Ape's compound so Jake arrived at Mr. Ape's house.That's how they got acquainted.Later,Mr. Ape bought some rabbits and guinea pigs.Wow! That's a lot.I bet he's crazy.Then he gets even more crazy-rearing canaries,a puppy,a foal and lastly a talking parrot who is good at immitating voices.I like the parts that the parrot immitated Mr. Ape's voice as it will trick Jake and Joe.So humourus!! Mr. Ape's pets soon increases as they will breed.So,he decides to have a pet sale.A lot of letters keep pouring into his house.Soon,he has a few pets.But when Mr. Ape's house is accidentally burned,everyone accuses Jake and Joe.Luckily,the animals were saved.Now it's up to Mr. Ape-is he going to follow the gypsies,Jake and Joe or will he stay? Read this book and you'll find out.This is a truly amazing book.It really touched my heart.

A really good book
Mr Ape is a fab book. If you can get your hands on it, I'd read it. I haven't read many of Dick King-Smith's stories, but this is probably one of the best books I've ever read. I love animals. I have a rat of my own, and my sister has a cat. Anyone who loves animals, like me, READ IT!

This book is a really exciting.
This book is realistic fiction. It is about two people who help each other. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would give 10. If you like humoous stories you will like this book.


Dick King-Smith's Animal Friends: Thirty-One True Life Stories
Published in School & Library Binding by Candlewick Press (1996)
Authors: Dick King-Smith and Anita Jeram
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Very well-written with cute illustrations for kids
This book is my kid's favorites. Very well written. He speaks very admiringly, lovingly, and affectionately about animals he has met all over the world. Adorable illustrations! Best book I've seen in a while!

A collection of heart-warming tales from a well-loved author
Dick King-Smith has done it again. This time it is a series of homespun tales, perfect as bedtime read aloud stories. Each jewel is carefully carved to create that warm fuzzy feeling.

The stories are about the author's personal experiences with animals; from turtles to cats and beyond. I recomend this book for ALL ages, especially for the parents of small children. It is a collection of short stories, and is thus very good for children who like to be read aloud to, but who don't have a very long attention span. Hey, I'm twelve, and I still enjoy being read aloud to, and this is one of my favorites. [For all of you out there looking for good animal stories, I would also reccomend "Magnus Power Mouse" by the same author].

Over all, I would like to say that this is certainly one of King-Smith's best!


Frontier Swashbuckler: The Life and Legend of John Smith T (Missouri Biography Series)
Published in Hardcover by University of Missouri Press (1999)
Author: Dick Steward
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Guts and Greed
This thoroughly researched account of John Smith T is much more than a biography. The reader is introduced to an unsettling chapter in American history when the thirst for wealth and power resulted in treachery, murder, and warfare under the guise of westward expansion for the common good. Insight is offered into the ties between Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas power brokers as well as the inablility of the Federal Government to control land-grabbing conspiracies. "Frontier Swashbuckler" paints and intirely different picture of early settlement than the noble mountain man and covered wagon we're more familiar with.

Frontier Swashbuckler : The Life and Legend of John Smith T
This book is a MUST read for those interested in USA and/or Missouri frontier history. Dr. Steward has a penchant to use highly descriptive word usage, which adds greatly to the reader's learning experience.


Sound Designs: A Handbook of Musical Instrument Building
Published in Paperback by Ten Speed Press (1996)
Authors: Reinhold Banek, Jon Scoville, Elizabeth McBride-Smith, Dick Obenchain, and John Scoville
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Excellent Book for Amature/Experienced Instrument Builder
As a boy, my father (a sculptor) bought me this book for my birthday. As an adult composer and percussionist, it is still one of my most cherished music-related books and it would make a great coffee table book for anyone (especially musicians!) who wants something truly out of the ordinary.

I have also used it for teaching: a few years ago I taught at the Walden School for young composers in New Hampshire and taught a class for kids where they built some of the simpler instruments in the book such as the Funnelodeon and the Copper Maracas. They also built Whirly Tubes out of long pieces of light blue swimming pool tubing. Of course, the kids had a great time and some even said it was their favorite class. Therefore, I think this book would be useful for music teachers who teach children and want to try something fun.

Many of the instruments in this book can be built using items found at hardware stores. Many of the more complex instruments are reminiscent of instruments built by the American composer Harry Partch and are also similar to discontinued (yet amazing!) instruments made by the J. C. Deagan company at the beginning of the twentieth century.

This book would make a great gift for anyone curious about different tunings and for someone who wants to try them out on an acoustic instruments, for percussionists, composers, wind players, string players, or even retired folks who have a little extra time and like working with their hands. There are mostly percussion instruments, but also some stringed and wind instruments as well. The directions, photos and diagrams are clear, and overall, this book is just a lot of fun to have around.

Great Basic Reference.
A very useful and practical handbook for beginning instrument builders such as I. The book is organized into six sections; wood, wood and metal, metal, skin, plastic, and glass. Mostly percussion designs, but also includes a few simple string instruments and an organ pipe. Instructions and designs for 50 instruments, some traditional but mostly original variations by the authors. Also includes frequency charts, some discussion of just intonation, a great bibliography for further reading and a list of suppliers for things like gourds and bamboo.


The Cuckoo Child
Published in Hardcover by Hyperion Press (1993)
Authors: Dick King-Smith and Leslie W. Bowman
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The Cuckoo Child
I thaught this book would be good because it had a funny name. It was good too. The cuckoo child is about a boy who loves birds of any kind. He lives with his Mom, Dad, and sister. his name is Jack Daw. In the begining Jack sees some chickens hatch. Then he ascked his father when he could have some birds of his own. His father said when he was 5. On his 5th he got budgerigars. For his 6th he got bantams. For his 7th, ducks. Then his 8th birthday came and he got geese. He named them Lidia and Wilfred. The next day Jack was going on a field trip with his class to the Wildlife Park. When they got there, there were more birds than he had expected. And then he saw it; the great male ostrich. It was amazing. His teacher came back for him and they cept going. Then they came to a sign that siad:Ostriches->. His teacher read the signthat told about ostriches. Jack asked his teacher if they would see any eggs. A man "ansered you will see lots". It was a park ranger. He showed them some eggs. After the park ranger showed them the eggs Jack sneaks an egg into his back. What happens to the egg? Read this book and find out!

The Kid and the Bird
I read this book because it was my second choice, and because everyone else was reading it.

Jack Daw loves birds, any types of birds. One day Jack and his class went a field trip to the local zoo. He finds himself looking straight at a nine foot tall, 345 pound ostrich! Then Jack comes up with a plan. Jack steals an extra ostrich egg that's about to be fed to a snake! Then he brings the ostrich egg back home to his family's farm.

If you want to find out what happens to the ostrich egg, and you like birds, read this book! It's very interesting!

The Odd Bird
I read this book because our teacher said that if we put a book review on Amazon.com we could keep the book. So why not? Before I read the book I thought it was about a child that was crazy about something,I didn't even think that it was about birds. The main characters in this story are Jack,Oliver,Lydia,and Wilfred. Jack has a way with birds and he is always with them he loves them so much that he gets them for birthday presents. One day his class goes on a field trip and he gets something if you what to find out read this book. This book is very interesting i think it is a very good book for all ages it is only a 127 page book too! This is one of those books that you take time out of your day to read it!


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