The Sheep Fairy: When Wishes Have Wings

PreSchool-K-Warm, woolly whimsy prevails when Wendy, a sheep, interrupts her grass eating to rescue a fairy. As the creature is mostly interested in eating grass and sleeping, it's hard for her to take the fairy up on her offer to grant one wish in return. Remembering "her secret dream," Wendy whispers that she'd like to fly. As the fairy flits off, she tells her liberator, "When the moon comes up and the stars come out, your wish will come true," and it does. Returning from her flight, the sheep sees a wolf sneaking up on the flock, and she swoops down and scares him away. As the weary aviator sleeps the next day, the others discuss their common dream of a flying sheep. The engaging text is frequently printed on deeply colored backgrounds and takes a few frolics about the page. It is well supported by thumbprint sheep, lollipop trees, a pink-and-green-frocked fairy, bunnies, birds, bees, hedgehogs, and the wolf. Sheep's-eye views of farmland quilts lend themselves to counting activities, color recognition, and just plain pleasure. Few collections have too many books with flying sheep that have rescued fairies, and this one may be just the ticket.
Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA
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PreS-Gr. 1. Sheep Wendy Woolcoat, who secretly dreams of flying through the moonlit sky, comes to the aid of a fairy in distress, who then grants Wendy a wish. That very night, Wendy sprouts a pair of purple wings and takes off on a high-flying adventure. On her return flight, she notices a wolf approaching the field where the other sheep are sleeping. Wendy shouts at the sheep to wake up, but they don't hear her. Desperate, she flies right at the wolf, shouting, "Leave my friends alone!" The wolf is so shocked and frightened at the sight of a flying sheep that he runs off in the opposite direction. The story's sweet simplicity and familiar fantasy elements have solid child appeal, as do Sim's childlike pictures, which are filled with bright colors and unusual perspectives. Wrap up a reading with a drawing activity in which children create a picture to illustrate the thought "If I had one wish I would wish for . . ." Lauren Peterson
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