Where Is the Green Sheep?
by
Mem Fox and Judy Horacek
board book
children's fiction, ages 0-3
Sheep seem to be pretty popular in children's books - disproportionate to the roll they play in our everyday lives. Sure, we know about Mary who had a little lamb, and Sheep in a Jeep, but how many of us actually own a sheep or even eat sheep on a regular basis any more? I don't even own anything made of wool. I suppose it is because historically, especially in England, sheep were a bigger part of people's lives.
In this book we find all kinds of sheep doing all kinds of anthropomorphic things like surfing and fixing automobiles. Horocek's sheep are kind of like the Busy Town (Richard Scarry) animals. They are cartoony and cute. Here they all are - except for the green sheep. Where did he go? Hint: At the end we were reciting and singing an old nursery rhyme.
In terms of grammar the author takes liberties with using a number of words as adjectives that are not normally adjectives. I was wondering if this would be confusing to new readers or if I am being too picky. This book won a number of awards, so maybe it is just me. Personally, I think the illustrator is better than the author, so I am going to see if my library has more books by this illustrator.
ALA Notable Children's Book
Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
