Description
Someone’s at the door. Is it one of the shepherd’s precious lambs…or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
On a wild, windy night, Sam brings his ten sheep home and tucks them in bed for the night.The shepherd wants to make sure he’s rounded up all of them. But counting sheep always makes him fall asleep! A knock on the door in the middle of the night wakes up Sam and his flock. How will Sam know if the knock on the door is a lost lamb or a wolf when he can’t count up his ten sheep without falling asleep? Now it’s up to the fast-thinking sheep to help him…before it’s too late!
Author Mij Kelly’s imaginative, funny counting book told in rhyme will delight readers with its silly, offbeat storyline and amusing cast of characters. Illustrator Russell Ayto’s appealing cartoon-like illustrations featuring outsized dimensions and slapstick action add to the manic fun.
Reviews
“This hilarious import features a clever wolf, a nearsighted shepherd with a short attention span and a plot spun out through an artful blend of irregular rhyme and wordless scenes.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Ayto nicely developes the suspense… this book generates excitement with the tried-and-true sheep vs. wolf formula.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Children will giggle over the comical illustrations…Laughter will ring out.” ―School Library Journal
“The rhyming verses roll along smoothly with some very satisfying turns of phrase, while the stylized ink drawings and fine watercolor work give the art real pizzazz.” ―Booklist
“The dynamic, cartoonlike pictures heighten the story’s humor; classic comic sight gags inject the scenes with energy and movement.” ―The Horn Book Magazine
“Playful illustrations, colorful commentary by the sheep, and rhythm of the text will no doubt make this an excellent read aloud and bedtime staple. This is a must have for all picture book collections.”—Baker & Taylor CATS Meow
Awards
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2007
Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Florida Reading Association, 2007-2008
Best Read Aloud Book Award (Runner-Up) ―ReadBoston, 2006
Children’s Book Sense Picks ―Book Sense Winter 2006-2007
More Details
AR Level: 2.7
F&P: GRL M, Gr 2, Genre F
Themes: Bedtime, Counting, Deception
