A touching novel about the relationship between man and beast from a true master of storytelling. Crowstarving was the ideal job for Spider - he was on his own - yet never alone, for all around him were animals of one sort or another. Discovered as a foundling in a lambing pen, Spider Sparrow grows up surrounded by animals.

From sheep and horses to wild otters and foxes, Spider loves them all, even the crows he must scare away the newly sown wheat. Amazingly, every animal who meets Spider implicitly trusts the young boy.

This magical rapport is Spider's unique gift, but nothing else in his tough life is so easy.