1 1

The Little Water Sprite

The Little Water Sprite

by Otfried Preussler, illustrated by Winnie Gebhardt-Gayler, translated from the German by Anthea Bell

$15.95
$0.00 $15.95
Ages 5–8 Available as E-Book Children's Literature German Literature International Literature
Format
This title can be purchased from your favorite e-book retailer,
including  many independent booksellers.

Buy on Amazon   Buy on iBooks   Buy on Barnes&Noble

One spring day, the little Water Sprite is born in a house of reeds at the bottom of a mill pond. Duckweed soup, pickled water fleas, and other dainties are served to celebrate. The little Water Sprite grows up quickly, and soon he is bored of gazing out the window at the newts and fish swimming by. There is a whole new world to see outside his living room, and the little Water Sprite is determined to explore it! In the pond he makes friends with Cyprian the carp and encounters the fearsome nine-eyed lamprey, but his most thrilling adventures await him on dry land.

Click to enlarge image

 by otfried preussler preußler, translated from the German by Anthea Bell, illustrated by Winnie Gebhardt-Gayler

Additional Book Information

Series: NYRB Kids
ISBN: 9781590179338
Pages: 136
Publication Date:

Praise

An enchanting fantasy about the life of a young water sprite growing up in the cool green world of the mill pond. Endowed with a daring spirit, this lively little sprite ventures into many exciting and amusing episodes, including a trip with a strong current over the mill wheel, a joke played on a naive fisherman which saves Cyprian the Carp, a punishment for contracting dry feet, and a host of additional pranks, games and adventures calculated to delight and entertain.
—Kirkus Reviews

Elements of folklore in Preussler’s books are intertwined with conversations, funny dialogue, discussions of old and young, and angry disputes that are rooted in the everyday life of families and school. Preussler revealed… that he possessed an almost inexhaustible fantasy, an unfailing sense of humor and situation comedy. German children between the ages of four and twelve are still his fans.
—Horst Kunneman, Bookbird

Mr. Preussler’s books were read aloud to generations of German children. They adored his characters.
—Douglas Martin, The New York Times

Praise for Krabat and the Sorcerer’s Mill

One of my favorite books.
—Neil Gaiman

In Preussler’s masterpiece, the terror is real, the love sweet, and the suspense twisted tight.
—J. Alison James

View full details

  • Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a New York Review Books Gift Card.

    Gift Cards 

  • A membership for yourself or as a gift for a special reader will promise a year of good reading.

    Join NYRB Classics Book Club 

  • Is there a book that you’d like to see back in print, or that you think we should consider for one of our series? Let us know!

    Tell us about it