Additional Book Information
Series: NYRB Kids
ISBN: 9781590179338
Pages: 136
Publication Date: September 8, 2015
The Little Water Sprite
by Otfried Preussler, illustrated by Winnie Gebhardt-Gayler, translated from the German by Anthea Bell
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.
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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