Who would believe it could be so hard to get a drink of water? And to find it at last, cool and fresh but out of reach - that was a problem indeed for a young monkey. But luckily for him, he had an observant and logical mind. This was more than could be said for the dog that made friends with the bear, or the vain jackdaw; and as for the silly ewe and the nanny goat - well, one might call it guile or one might call it simplicity that kept the wolves at bay.

First published in 1960, this charming book of animal fables was the first children's book either Quentin Blake or John Yeoman ever published. It exudes all the warmth and wit we have come to expect of their collaborations.

'This collection of animal tales is good for reading aloud and abounds with Mr. Blake's funny, expressive drawings' - Wall Street Journal

John Yeoman was for many years Head of English at the French Lycee in London. His collaboration with Quentin Blake began in 1960 with A Drink of Water, and has resulted in a long list of successful children's books. Sir Quentin Blake is an internationally celebrated illustrator, known for his collaborations with authors such as Roald Dahl, Russell Hoban, John Yeoman, David Walliams and Joan Aiken. A winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Hans Christian Andersen Award, he received a knighthood in 2013. He is the series consultant for The Illustrators and in 2019 published his illustrated edition of John Ruskin's King of the Golden River.