Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

July 15, 2015
Who knew that one little girl with her basket of knitting needles could so tax the wool production of a generous black sheep? Starting with the familiar refrain, the nursery rhyme veers into a rhyming, amusing place: "One for a hat, and one for mittens / and one for a messy muddle for the kittens." Soon, she is knitting vests for birds, sweaters for the shepherd, wigs and beards for pigs, a tea cozy, and even black sweaters for tiny white sheep! Careful readers will notice that the black sheep's own wool is getting thinner and thinner with each page turn. While all the other farm critters and people in the village are cozy in their black sweaters and blankets, the sheep is eventually bald all over! But, never fear, our little heroine has a plan. There's a lot to appreciate here: the gift recipients are all familiar nursery characters (Bo Peep, Little Boy Blue, the three little kittens, the three pigs, the old woman in the shoe-and her brood is multiethnic), the thinning of the sheep's wool is slow and subtle, making the big reveal a true surprise, and the clouds look like sheep. Cabrera's winning style-acrylics with bold, black outlines-is perfect for the preschool audience. Both lap listeners and the audience at story hour will be able to see every detail. Another winner from Cabrera. (Picture book. 3-7)

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August 1, 2015

Toddler-PreS-A variation on the classic nursery rhyme that tells the story of a sheep giving away all of her wool to a little girl who knits. The prose sticks to the rhyme and rhythm of the song and follows the animal as her wool is used to make mittens for the three little kittens, a swing and a vest for birds, clothes for Little Bo Peep and Little Boy Blue, some items for the three little pigs, and blankets for the old woman who lives in a shoe with her children. As the story progresses the sheep grows less and less fluffy, and at the end she has no wool left to give. However, she is rewarded when her friend gives her a handmade sweater, scarf, socks, and a hat. Cabrera's story is singable, and the bright, simple, acrylic illustrations are sweet, depicting all of the characters enjoying their wool products. Children will giggle when they see images like the fake beard made for one of the three pigs and when the sheep is shaved down to her bare skin. Cabrera's references to other nursery rhyme characters come out primarily in the illustrations, which older children are more likely to pick up on. While toddlers can enjoy the song and illustrations in Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, preschool audiences may have a greater appreciation for the book's humor and literary references, making it a great storytime selection. VERDICT A first purchase for most library collections, but especially for those seeking dynamic, singable books for preschool storytime.-Liz Anderson, D.C. Public Library

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