Synopsis
A foolish flock of sheep follows their leader, Sherman, who claims to be able to read signs, on a search for greener pastures
Reviews
PreSchool-Grade 1-The residents of Happy Valley Sheep Ranch are not contented with their lot. Wayne, as spokesman, asks Cousin Sherman, the smartest of them all, to lead the flock to the best field in the valley. "'It's a long, hard journey,'" Sherman says, but off they go, singing songs as they travel. When the animals complain of hunger, their leader cleverly misreads a sign over the city dump to say "Free Food for Sheep." When it starts to rain, he reads "Shelter for Sheep" near a railroad boxcar. When they are thirsty, he sees a sign that says "Hey Sheep, Water Ahead" at the ferry crossing. After taking dusty roads and winding paths, a sign down in the valley seems to say "Sheep Are Happy Here," and the flock recognizes their former field. Children will appreciate this humorous interpretation of the no-place-like-home theme. Sherman's songs, hand printed across the pages, beg to be sung aloud. Beginning readers should be able to read the actual words on each sign. Delightful, double-page illustrations convey the feeling of travel and show whimsical, goggle-eyed sheep who look like they really need a leader. Charming, appealing, and funny.
Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The woolly namesake of this droll book is considered a genius by his sheep peers--but the possibility that he may not entirely deserve that honor is the key to this tale's hilarity. On behalf of the flock, cousin Wayne implores Sherman to take them from their customary field and lead them to the best field in the valley. Behind Wayne, a grinning flock gazes expectantly Shermanward; their chosen chief tells them that it's "a long, hard journey," but agrees to be their guide. Predictably enough, Sherman's destination is the very same Happy Valley Sheep Ranch from which the flock departs, but he takes quite a roundabout route. As the sheep travel over hills and rivers, they proudly sing ("We're sheep! We're sheep! We're brave and we're bold, / We go where we want / And not where we're told . . . ") and Sherman "reads" directions, at one point claiming that the "Happy Valley City Dump" advertises "Free Food for Sheep." Kiser's ( The Birthday Thing ) hooved heroes, giddy from their own audaciousness, are rendered as jaunty, silly souls by Barnes-Murphy; the debut illustrator's flowing, fine-line sketches convey the sheep's enthusiasm (and their obliviousness) via a broad range of invariably funny facial expressions. Kiser and Barnes-Murphy make a winning team. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Ages 5-8. Sherman is the flock's smartest sheep, so when his friends want to find the best field in the valley, he's designated the leader. Through the city dump, into a boxcar, and onto a raft, he leads them as he sings, We're sheep! We're sheep! We're brave and we're bold, We go where we want and not where we're told. Where they wind up is right back in their original valley (though they are oblivious to that fact), giving a sheepish twist to the idea that happiness is in your own backyard. The watercolor-and-ink cartoon-style art has a sly edge, and it may take kids slightly older than the usual picture-book crowd to get all the humor. Ilene Cooper
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