Nancy E. Shaw

Not bad wordplay, but the book really has nothing to do with pirates other than the sheep are dressed in pirate costumes and the ship has a jolly roger. They don't do anything piratey. It could be any kind of ship. Also, during the storm, the ship doesn't seem to be sinking, just out of control. It makes little sense to chop off the mast and build a raft, which would be even more precarious in stormy seas.

Am I the only one who has read this book...repeatedly to my child so that almost thirty years later I can quote from it without peeking?

It's a fun book to read to a child (or on your own...shhh!), and the pictures are marvelous. Don't wait until you have your own child or grandchild to check this one out.

"Uh oh, jeep won't go..."

I wonder if the board book edition is abridged. This seemed awkward and clunky compared to other Sheep books I've enjoyed, especially the wolf plot. I did like that each barn animal gave treats appropriate to what they had available... but would chickens voluntarily give eggs?

(Maybe they think of eggs much as the Aandrisk to in "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet."

The repetitious nature of this book makes if a great read for younger students. Kindergarten and grade 1 students will be able to follow along and see patterns in rhyme. The teacher can ask students to explore language that rhymes, giving prompts such as cat, hat, fat etc. The text also has examples of cause and effect. The teacher can ask students to share any times they have made a mistake which has effected an outcome elsewhere. This story is very comical and will have students engaged show more and laughing. show less