Woolbur

From the opening line - "Wilbur had a little trouble with the herd today," said Maa - this delightful picture-book had me chuckling, absorbed in the unfolding tale of a little sheep continually out of step with his peers. Woolbur can never seem to conform to the "normal" standards of ovine behavior, whether that be running with the other sheep, as opposed to those "wild" dogs, or submitting to being sheared. Every time his parents task him with one of his unusual actions or choices, he responds with a cheery "I know! Isn't that great?", and Grandpaa intones, "Don't worry! But Maa and Paa do worry - they worry a lot - and finally, they inform Wilbur that he must do what the other sheep are doing. Is this the end of Wilbur's unique way of show more being in the world...?

With its effective use of repetition - Wilbur's parents continually question him, while Wilbur himself is continually unconcerned - and endearing characters, Leslie Helakoski's narrative is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether it is read as a meditation on being different, on having self-confidence, or on becoming a leader, it is an amusing story in its own right. Lee Harper's fluffy-looking illustrations suit the tale perfectly, capturing Wilbur's insouciant joy, his parents nightly worry (they continually pull on their wool), and Grandpaa's reassuring presence. Highly recommended! show less

I read this book often to the children in my class, but I think that adults can get a lot out of it as well. Woolbur is a sheep who is determined to be different from the rest of the flock, which worries his parents who think he needs to be part of the flock because it is what sheep do. Woolbur's Grandpa isn't worried though, he is always the calm voice reminding the others not to worry. When children hear the story they giggle at Woolbur's silly antics but in the end they realize that he isn't afraid to be himself and that being different is okay. Sometimes I think that when adults hear the story, the voice of Grandpa is speaking to them, reminding them not to worry about their child's silly choices. Weaving yarn into your hair isn't show more the end of the world, neither is getting blue dye on yourself. It's okay to not sweat the small stuff and let the creative mind flow for a little while, because in the end that's how we find peace and harmony with ourselves. show less

You can't help but love Woolbur and his original take on everything as well as his grandfather's zen attitude. I love it that whenever his parents tell him he shouldn't be doing something, he replies, "I know - Isn't it great!"

Woolbur is a young sheep who always does the opposite of what sheep are expected to do, and his parents worry he'll never do things the "right" way. Luckily, Woolbur figures out a way to keep on being different...

This is a cute and fun story about how being different doesn't have to be viewed as a bad thing, without being preachy. The illustrations are pretty run of the mill, thougha couple are quite funny.

Sofia says: "This book was really funny and Woolbur was the funny because he didn't do the things that other sheep did. I liked that Woolbur taught the other sheep to be like him instead of changing his ways. And I think my daddy would like this book because it's funny like him."

Woolbur isn’t like the other sheep in the flock and his parents are very worried. He runs with the herding dogs instead of the sheep. He rides on the spinning wheel instead of spinning wool. He dyes himself blue, instead of the wool. Even though Grandpaa tells them not to worry, Maa and Paa pull their wool all night long. Finally, Maa and Paa take Woolbur aside and tell him that from now on he will do everything just like everyone else. Dejected and sad, Woolbur thinks all night long to come up with a plan. From then on he teaches the other sheep to run with the dogs, ride the spinning wheel, and experiment with color.

The text of this story about marching to the beat of your own drum uses an episodic pattern that helps to keep the show more story moving. Each time Woolbur is scolded for doing things his own way he replies, “I know. Isn’t it great?” Kids will very quickly pick up the pattern and can help with that part of the story. The painterly illustrations use a yarn and wool motif to create whimsical sheep filled scenes. Harper’s sheep are not generic; they burst with personality, especially spunky Woolbur.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-129-woolbur-by-leslie-helakoski... show less

This book is about a sheep that marches to his own drummer. Over and over again other sheep are trying to teach him how to do things and somehow Woolbur manages to do things differently. Every time he responds with, “isn’t it great”. His parents are worried and try to explain to him that sheep have to follow the herd. In response, Woolbur teaches the rest of the herd to do things his way.

This is a great story about being an individual and being proud of who you are. I think I would use this book at the beginning of the school year. When everyone is getting to know one another, it would fit in wonderfully to help them realize how we are all unique and all have something to contribute. It fits right it with Chrysanthemum and Stand show more Tall Molly Lou Melon. show less

Wonky sense of humor that charmingly teaches kids not to follow the crowd. A Bellwether(#conniewillis) for kids if you will.