The Sheep Follow: 2 - Hardcover

PreSchool-- As soon as a young shepherd lies down to nap, his flock takes off after a butterfly. In rapid succession, the sheep are led by geese, a cat, pigs, rabbits, fish, and ducks. Their travels take them into the farmer's yard, his barn, cornfields, woods, and along a stream. Finally a dog drives them back to their awakening shepherd. He is now ready to have them follow his lead, but they are too tired. The story is told in short, simple sentences, one to a page. The action presents opportunities for colorful views of pastoral scenery; greens predominate in flat expanses of grass and deeper-toned trees and shrubs. Details are attractively patterned; distant pastures are quilted. Cornstalks, flowers, and rushes are depicted in eye-catching designs. Black-and-white, rounded sheep dancing on skinny stick legs are placed against the backdrop. The animals look like cutouts, their simplified shapes resembling wooden puzzle pieces or appliques on a pinafore. The stylized graphic art and simple narration insure the book's success with the toddler set. --Nancy Seiner, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a very simple, repetitive text and bright, stylized illustrations, another rehearsal of familiar farmyard animals and their classic attributes. While the shepherd boy sleeps, five cheery, curly-haired sheep follow one animal after another--a butterfly, geese, pigs (into the corn), even swimming ducks. At last a dog appears to round them up and take them back to their shepherd--but by now the sheep are too tired and sleepy to follow the boy home. Light, bright colors, crisp design, and a proven formula recommend this especially for the toddler group. (Picture book. 0-5) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.