Tools for this page
Print

The Water Horse

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

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    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.

updated 07.04.08

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.
Tools and tips that can help
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Read It? Review It!
  • What did you think about The Water Horse?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 1 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    loisj
    Lives in Washington
    Kids ages: 3, 6
    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 | Has useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

Find books reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Age 13+
    Terminator Salvation

    Terminator Salvation

    First PG-13 Terminator is loud, explosive, and dark.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Is it OK for kids to do homework on Facebook?

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know. All About Avatars

    What parents need to know.

  • Pick of the Week

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Best baseball games for kids.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 12+
    EA Sports Active

    EA Sports Active

    Virtual personal trainers help families get fit on the Wii.