Between the world wars somewhere in the English countryside, a shepherd finds a baby left amongst his lambing ewes and takes it home to his wife. They've never been able to have their own children, so they adopt him and raise him as their own. But Spider Sparrow is different from the local children. He's 'slow' and isn't allowed in school, but he also has an uncanny relationship to all animals; they instinctively trust him and he loves them all in return. This comes in handy several times on The Mister's farm-estate, from comforting ewes in labor to gentling wild broncos.

This is a quiet story, in which not much happens but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of it. It's cozy without being saccharine, bittersweet without being maudlin. A perfect read for a snowy day with some tea by your side. ( )

I've read several books by King-Smith, and this one was the most somber. A baby, left in a sheep's pen, is adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow. As the child grows, the author describes his odd way of crawling and walking that puts me in mind of a child with Downs' Syndrome. Spider, as he is called has an affinity to animals and they to him. It's a lovely little story. ( )

A foundling, Spider Sparrow isn’t like others; he doesn’t speak much and he shuffles along. But in spite of his infirmities, Spider has a special affinity for animals.

And that’s the story. The story of a boy who seems handicapped but who uses his strengths to make a lovely life for himself. ( )

More sober than most of King-Smith’s stories, but still focused on animals, this book follows the boy Spider, abandoned at birth, and different through life. His gift for befriending animals brings him joy & value in his small farming community. We get a glimpse of life in the English countryside during World War II.