Commemorative Bench
Published on Friday, December 18th, 2020
Many years before he became a children’s author, Dick was a farmer. Between 1948 and 1961, the King-Smith family lived at Woodlands Farm, in some beautiful countryside near to the boundary of Westerleigh and Frampton Cotterell parishes in South Gloucestershire. It was here, caring for his many animals, that Dick gained lots of inspiration for […]
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The Sheep-Pig
Published on Friday, December 11th, 2020
Dick’s most famous book, The Sheep-Pig, was first published in 1983. It was years later, in 1995, that technology had advanced enough for The Sheep-Pig to be adapted for the big screen in the form of the Hollywood blockbuster Babe. Above is a sketch on the original manuscript that Dick had typed-up, laboriously, with one […]
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Gorilla Disrupts Book Time
Published on Tuesday, November 24th, 2020
A kind person pointed out this article about Dick and his brother Tony, published in the Bath Chronicle on 2nd August 1988. We thought you might find it amusing… ‘CHILDREN’S author Dick King-Smith had some surprise help from his brother Tony during an afternoon of story-reading at Keynsham Library. Just as 66-year-old Dick was settling […]
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The Queen’s Nose
Published on Sunday, November 15th, 2020
It is 25 years ago today since the BBC’s adaptation of Dick’s novel The Queen’s Nose aired on television! The drama proved to be a huge success and ran for seven series, winning several awards in the process, thanks to the great writing and excellent cast (and a good story, of course!) Dick and the […]
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Frank The Rabbit
Published on Saturday, November 14th, 2020
One of Dick’s most beloved and memorable pets was Frank the French Lop rabbit, seen here being taken for a short walk, or, more realistically, Frank is seen taking Dick for a walk! Not only was Frank very large, he was also quite adventurous. He loved to have a sniff around Dick’s garden at any […]
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10 New Editions!
Published on Friday, October 16th, 2020
The King-Smith family are delighted to announce the exciting news that independent children’s publisher Sweet Cherry will be republishing ten of Dick’s books in 2021! The titles are: Daggie Dogfoot(Pigs Might Fly), Dragon Boy, Dodos Are Forever, Julius Caesar’s Goat, Warlock Watson, What Sadie Saw, Tumbleweed, Paddy’s Pot of Gold, Find the White Horse and […]
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The Puffin Book of Big Dreams
Published on Thursday, September 24th, 2020
Stories to spark your imagination. Celebrate Puffin Books’ 80th birthday and the power of reading with this brand new collection! Perfect for reading aloud or reading independently at bedtime, this wonderful anthology features brand new stories, poems and illustrations from well-loved and exciting new Puffin authors and illustrators. Plus, rediscover carefully curated extracts from Puffin’s […]
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Happy Anniversary, Babe!
Published on Friday, August 28th, 2020
Amazingly, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the film Babe, based on Dick’s 1983 novel The Sheep-Pig (Babe the Gallant Pig). Released in 1995, the film was a box office smash, opening to glowing reviews from critics and charming audiences worldwide. The film did so well that it was nominated for seven Oscars, including […]
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Ransome, Sims and Jeffries
Published on Thursday, July 2nd, 2020
Many years ago, Dick wrote his very first book The Fox Busters, which was published when he was 56 years old. He got the idea during the time that he was a farmer and kept chickens. Foxes were an ever-present threat. The book is about three brave hens called Ransome, Sims and Jefferies, who are […]
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The Invisible Dog, read by Dick’s daughter Juliet.
Published on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
The Invisible Dog, by Dick King-Smith, read by his daughter Juliet. Chapter one. A little girl who desperately wants a dog introduces an imaginary Great Dane called Henry into her home. Her wish comes true when she is allowed a real Henry. Was old Mrs Garrow, with her cackling laugh and black cat, responsible for […]
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