Spider Sparrow has always been different. Abandoned as an infant in a lambing pen and adopted by a kindly shepherd and his wife, Spider’s life is unusual from the start. As he grows, it becomes clear that he is not like other he can't walk, talk, or learn like them. But Spider has a he can imitate perfectly the sounds of animals. The animals–and his community–love him for it. For Spider, the world may be a difficult place, but he lives each day with joy and courage. And those who meet Spider will never forget him.
Author
Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books. Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does. Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award. Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
