On a hill among hills, an old man lives with a strange collection of unwanted animals. Mutual fear and distrust keep the nearby villagers and the old man apart. One terrible stormy night, floodwaters threaten to engulf the little hill. It seems that the old man and his menagerie are doomed. Then, in the distance, a boat appears. Will someone from the village brave the elements and rescue the man - and his animals?

 

This book was recognised by the Kate Greenaway Medal Award. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

There are 32 pages in this book. This book was published 2005 by Simply Read Books .

Helen Ward trained as an illustrator at Brighton School of Art. She has received numerous awards for her work. Ms. Ward lives in England. Russell Hoban was born in Pennsylvania. His books for adults include the modern classic Riddley Walker. He has written more than sixty picture books, including The Sea-thing Child, shortlisted for the 2000 Kate Greenaway Award, as well as the novel The Mouse and His Child. Ian Andrew has worked on numerous animated films, including Father Christmas and his own film, Dolphins, which won the First Bite Award in 1987. His book The Lion and the Mouse was shortlisted for the 1996 Mother Goose Award, and he has also illustrated the Walker picture book The Midnight Man, written by Berlie Doherty.