PreS-Gr 1-Sheep Dog goes above and beyond the call of duty when a little sheep bumps into him one day, clearly in need of more help than she realizes. The lamb (who calls herself "Sheep Sheep" after her new friend identifies himself as the "Sheep Dog") decides to lend some assistance of her own by tying his long hair into a dainty bow, providing him with binoculars to enhance his sight, and handing him a map so he won't get lost. Sheep Dog proves his mettle in less ostentatious ways by ordering a swooping eagle to "vamoose" and telling a threatening coyote to "skedaddle." Sheep finds ways to look after her large shaggy friend in her own way. Barclay's quick-witted text is as endearing as his pastel pencil and Photoshop illustrations, which feature an expressive, free-spirited sheep alongside a deeply caring, albeit stoic sheep dog. Sheep's antics are memorably adorable and funny, particularly when she launches into the "Get this Spider off of Me Dance" and the "Pee Pee Dance." Sheep Dog's mostly deadpan expression is the perfect contrast to Sheep's childish silliness, making them ideal partners. This is as endearing as Peggy Rathmann's Officer Buckle and Gloria. -VERDICT A winning read-aloud to celebrate the merits of true friendship.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A lovable sheepdog and his oblivious but enthusiastic charge feature in this comical story. Sheep loves to dance, and while she is happily doing so with her eyes shut one day, she bumps into a big shaggy creature who introduces himself as the sheepdog. "Well, I'm a SHEEP sheep. I watch sheep, too," she declares, setting off to help the dog improve at his job. Perkily, she provides him with a yellow bow to pull back his long bangs and finds him binoculars and a map; all the while, Sheep Dog quietly saves Sheep from a range of hazards-eagle, coyote, decrepit bridge. But when Sheep inquires about the others that Sheep Dog is meant to be watching, it turns out there's only one, and Sheep Dog has been doing his job better than anyone realized. Pencil and Photoshop illustrations by Barclay (Hiding Phil) leave plenty of room for giggle-inducing word choices (the eagle is told to "vamoose," the coyote, to "skedaddle") as a sweet friendship burgeons. Ages 4-8. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Feb.) c Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

New friends are out together, though not dancing, sheep to sheep.The dancing allusion is apropos given that Sheep loves to trot the light fantastic and show off fancy hoofwork. The sprightly movements help her meet a shaggy canine on her farm. When this crittera sheepdogexplains his function, Sheep declares that she's an expert at watching animals of her kind, too, and is, therefore, a "SHEEP sheep." Twice while searching for items her new buddy will need for his job, Sheep is stalked by wily predators. Unbeknownst to her, but observed by the dogand readersthey attempt stealthy grabs but are promptly sent packing byguess who? A third near mishap, to which Sheep is again oblivious, soon occurs, but the watchful dog saves her woolly hide again. Sheep Dog's best "rescue," though?a clever and satisfying action plan for Sheep's future at this thin story's resolution that gives her a sense of purpose and restores her self-esteem, at the same time offering a punning twist on shepherding. Some may frown that the male is active and resourceful while the female remains relatively passive. The illustrations, rendered in colored pencils and Adobe Photoshop, are humorous and energetic if flat, which suits the endearing, cartoony, expressive characters.Not the best friendship story, but one needn't feel sheepish about enjoying this. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

After she meets a sheepdog, a none-too-bright sheep decides to school him in how to do his job because "everyone knows I'm an expert at watching sheep." She doesn't realize what readers do: she's so oblivious that Sheep Dog has to keep rescuing her from danger. This odd-couple pair recalls a Looney Tunes duo in a picturesque pastoral setting. (c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.