Review by Booklist Review
A little girl with a Dutch bob meets a black sheep and asks her the traditional question. Yes, in fact, she does have three bags full, and she proceeds to go into considerable detail about what shall be done with them: One for a hat, / and one for mittens / and one for a messy muddle / for the kittens. Furthermore, the wool will be used for a bird's nest, to make a sweater for Bo Peep, and to create little sweaters for tiny sheep. That would seem to be enough, but the girl keeps asking the question, and the sheep spins a fairy-tale world full of answers, including making a wool beard to disguise one of the Three Little Pigs from the wolf. The whole book from its clever concepts and rhyming text to its adorable textured-collage artwork is fun, but watching the black sheep go from being fat and furry to nearly naked after giving away her wool will make children laugh out loud. Teachers might like to use the accompanying song, set to the traditional tune, for a play or skits.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
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 © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
An enterprising young knitter repeatedly asks a black sheep if it has any wool. Each time, the sheep happily obliges with the traditional three bags full; the following spread shows how the wool gets used. Cabrera's twist on the nursery rhyme is accessible and funny--preschoolers will enjoy, for example, the sheep's increasing nakedness, and embarrassment, as the wool is donated. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
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 shoeand 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 styleacrylics with bold, black outlinesis 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) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
