Fast-Talking Dolphin

by Carson Davidson

When Eric finds a talking dolphin in a trout pond in New England, he uses all his knowledge and skills to save its life.

Genres: Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a much-loved book of mine from childhood. I had the pleasure of reading my much-worn copy to my son, and we soooo enjoyed it together. Wallingford is a highly educated talking dolphin (think Charles Winchester III from MASH here!) He has a talent for speaking in anapestic poetry. His troubles begin when, en route to a convention, he falls from an airplane and lands in a pond on a New England mountain. And this is where the boy named Eric meets him. Thank you, Carson Davidson, for a wonderful story.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Anderson lives with his father, mother, and brother Karl on a farm beside a mountain in New England. One day, he goes to a nearby ten foot wide trout pond and finds a bottle-nosed dolphin named Wallingford Ullingham Lowell, the Third. What is even more amazing is that Wallingford can talk—and in anapestic poetry no less. The dolphin says that he was in a plane on his way to an oceanography conference in London when he fell out of the cargo hold. In doing his research, Eric finds out that dolphins need to be in salt water to survive. Also, Eric notices that the supply of fish in the pond is becoming so dangerously low that Wallingford might starve.

Furthermore, the pond actually belongs on the land of mean old Mr. Benson, who shoots at kids to keep them away from his property, and his friendless son Herbie. Is there anything that Eric can do to help alleviate these problems and save his new friend? Will Wallingford be able to survive? And what will happen to him if mean old Mr. Bemson finds out about the dolphin? This is a very readable, easy to follow story that will appeal to most middle grade children, especially those who like animals. Not only is there a general message about being kind to other creatures, but there are also lessons embedded in the plot about friendship, working together to achieve a common goal, and standing up for what one believes in. The euphemistic term “gee” is found once. I enjoyed the book.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my faves as a kid.

[Chumofchance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird enough to be sort of entertaining, but actually boring. And the dolphin isn't really fast-talking, he's florid and obnoxiously loquacious. And the moral of the story seems to be that children need to accept their place as free labor on the family farm.

[Ricky Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first and favorite children's books when I was a child, I believe in 1984. Last week, I got the opportunity to reread the whole thing and it is still charming as ever. It is only 128 pages long but nevertheless, a good story for children.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Anderson can't believe his eyes or ears. He finds a rhyme-talking dolphin swimming in a mountain pond. Wallingford Ullingham Lowell III speaks in anapestic, a verse with an accent on every third syllable. Wallingford insists that he was dropped out of an airplane and can survive just fine in a fresh-water stream, but Wallingford is mistaken. Without salt water and with a waning supply of fish, the dolphin begins to sicken. Eric gets a job at the local hardware store and spends his wages on salt and fresh, live fish. As Eric and the exasperating dolphin become friends, Eric's life gets crazier and crazier. Then, mean Mr. Benson, who owns the pond, finds out about Wallingford. Eric enlists the help of all his friends. They form a ring around the pond preventing Mr. Benson from shooting the dolphin. In the ensuing struggle, Mr. Benson falls into the pond, and Wallingford saves his life. After that, Mr. Benson promises not to hurt the dolphin. Then, Wallingford disappears as "mysteriously" as he came.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Kristy Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago when I was in the 6th grade; and it was the book, for whatever reason, that made me fall-in-love books. I realized that reading could be fun and not just something I had to do reluctantly. Now 20 years later, I have read hundreds of books; but I still remember that the Fast-Talking Dolphin and the book report I read it for, was what started it all.

Thank you Carson Davidson. It was by chance I picked up your book at a book fair and thought, "Well why not... it has a dolphin, cool."

[Alisha Brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Fast-Talking Dolphin
Series: -
Author: Carson Davidson
Genre: Children's
Rating: 3 stars

This was a cute and even funny little book. I love dolphins and what can be better than a TALKING DOLPHIN. I must say this dolphin has some attitude! A great little read.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

December 2011: Found in books from Tita's attic.