Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Hide and Sheep
Illustrator: Bill Mayer
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Simon and Schuster, 2011 ISBN: 978-1416925446
Farmer McFitt is fast asleep and his sheep are taking advantage of his doziness by jumping over the gate and running away. He really needs to wake up “before it’s too late.”
Ten of the sheep head for the zoo where they have a splendid time making friends with an okapi, a kangaroo, a giraffe, and some chimpanzees. Another nine decide that the circus life is what they need, and soon they are dancing with a bear, flying out of a cannon, and walking on the high wire. In a nearby sports stadium, eight sheep join a baseball game where they nibble the grass and confound the players. Then there are the seven sheep who go to the movie theatre where they watch a movie and eat so much popcorn that they feel sick. Where are the rest of the wooly wanderers, and will Farmer McFitt be able to gather them up so that he can shear them and knit some clothes?
Children who like books that are full of wonderfully goofy characters and ridiculous situations are sure to enjoy this picture book. The story ends happily for everyone, and young readers are sure to have a good laugh when they see the last page.
