That fun flock is raring for a rugged hiking adventure. Rapid rhythm, rhyme, and colorful illustrations make this a perfect introduction to poetry.
September 26, 1994
Shaw's anything but sheepish sheep are on the move again--this time by hoof. As with their previous misadventures ( Sheep in a Jeep ; Sheep in a Shop ), everything is just dandy at the start of their latest caper: ``Morning's here! It's warm and clear! / Sheep load up their hiking gear.'' With packs on backs, the frisky flock trots along happily until the inevitable snags occur: ``Trees and bushes soon grow thicker. / Where's the trail? Sheep bicker.'' Ears begin to droop as the woolly creatures make their way through thorns, prickers, fog and bog, and then--horrors of horrors--``The compass sinks. They're in dismay. / How can they ever find their way?'' Of course, the ever-resourceful sheep manage to do just that--despite a final drenching rainfall. Though the antics will bring on chuckles, this latest effort lacks the comic fullness and laugh-out-loud visuals found in the best of Shaw and Apple's collaborations. Still, the light verse is as snappy as ever, and Apple's art contains her trademark details--including the dapper sheep's millinery and their delightfully emotive facial expressions. Ages 2-5.
August 26, 1996
This adventure lacks the comic fullness of the best of Shaw and Apple's work, said PW, but the light verse "is as snappy as ever" and the sheep's facial expressions remain "delightfully emotive." Ages 2-6.