You Loves Ewe!

August 12, 2019
Donkey and Yam (I Yam a Donkey!) are back, still divided by a common language. This time, the contretemps trigger is homonyms, thanks to the introduction of a “lady sheep” who is the object of Yam’s affections. “This is Ewe,” Yam says. “That is me?” Donkey brays. “I yam so cute and fluffy.” To explain the concept of “hummanums,” as Donkey calls them, Yam patiently employs word signs and other visual aids (showing the difference, for example, between doe and dough, moose and mousse). Full comprehension eludes Donkey, but one thing he knows for sure: while Yam and a ram are vying for Ewe’s affections, it’s up to Ewe to decide who she likes. Bell’s bright cartoon panels remain crisply drawn, tightly cropped, and gleefully in-your-face—a narrative dynamic that the target age should eat right up. Donkey is both transgressive and utterly secure in his daffiness, so youngsters can both savor the mischief he causes and take pride that they’re at least a few steps ahead of him. Ages 4–7.

August 15, 2019
Ewe will love it! (You will too.) Bell introduces readers to a humorous trio: the studious, bespectacled Yam, the slow-witted Donkey, and the titular, and mostly silent, Ewe. Donkey kicks off the foolishness in initially mistaking the anthropomorphic tuber and the female sheep for fellow donkeys. When Yam corrects these errors and explains that "this is Ewe," the snowball of wordplay begins its long descent down the hill of wackiness. Along the way, readers learn what a homonym is. Bell fits a lot into the story, making good use of speech bubbles and sequential panels across spreads of the picture book. She also keeps the humor interlaced with moments of learning that play well with the page turns. The artwork is bold, with thick, black lines and bright, simple colors, so it will play well to the back of a storytime room or classroom. Some adults may find the multiple voices to be a challenge as a solo reader, but it's well worth the effort, as the combination of language and images will have young readers in fits of giggles. The artwork beautifully conveys the zany hijinks. Following the pupils in Donkey's googly eyes as it thinks about each new concept is a silly joy in itself. Hilarious. How will Yam and Donkey top this? (Picture book. 5-8)

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November 1, 2019

Gr 1-3-Donkey and Yam from Bell's I Yam a Donkey are back. Yam introduces Ewe to Donkey and thus begins a lengthy misunderstanding about the words you vs. ewe. Yam explains homonyms and gives examples, which are illustrated in Bell's china marker and acrylic drawings. Moose? Or Mousse? The joke goes on a bit too long and readers old enough to understand homonyms and get the visual clues may be too old to find the mix up amusing. Younger readers drawn in by Bell's enticingly bright, cartoon illustrations may be confused by the concept. VERDICT Possibly useful as an introduction to a grammar lesson, but readers are unlikely to gravitate toward this bit of silliness on their own.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2019
Grades K-2 Donkey becomes terribly confused when bespectacled Yam introduces their new friend, a lady sheep: This is ewe. That is me? I yam so cute and fluffy! Donkey, who struggled with grammar in this book's uproarious predecessor, I Yam a Donkey (2015), cannot quite grasp homonyms. His little friend attempts to Yam-splain, articulating proper usage with perfect clarity?but to no avail. Donkey earnestly corrects Yam's corrections, and the farce escalates, covering multiple terms that, unfortunately, also happen to be animals (doe/dough, moose/mousse, hare/hair) and culminating with Yam's confession: I am in love with Ewe! Donkey, of course, is delighted. Unfortunately, when he suspects that Ewe herself loves a certain ram, she confirms, Eye dew. Bell again presents the story, pictures, and wacky wordplay exclusively through dialogue, utilizing comics-style panels and speech bubbles. Her thick-lined marker-and-acrylic art brings cartoonish animals (and vegetables) to goofy life, and she finds endless ways to prompt laughs through Donkey's aggressively clueless expressions. Another excellent classroom tool, bringing hilarity to a topic that often can bee confusing. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)