Baabwaa and Wooliam by David Elliott; illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Somerville, Mass., Candlewick) $22
Fans of truly awful puns will love the title of this funny story that will appeal to older picture book readers.
Two charmingly gormless sheep with low-key hobbies decide to take a break from their reading and knitting. On their walk they encounter a peculiar sheep who is quickly unmasked by Wooliam. He realizes the “sheep” is that wolf in sheep’s clothing he has read about and advises his companion that they had better skedaddle; however, in mid-chase the wolf stops and inquires how it is that Wooliam is familiar with him.
A discussion ensues and Wooliam pulls out a book to explain his awareness of wolf behaviour. It is soon apparent that the wolf can’t read and a sympathetic Baabwaa offers Wooliam’s services. The wolf accepts, but the process is a bit fraught – there are frequent bouts of wolf-like action as Baabwaa and Wooliam are chased around the field. There is also a slight setback when the newly literate wolf reads about his kind being cruel and sneaky, but he doesn’t get much sympathy as Wooliam’s terse comment is “And your point?” Eventually a close friendship develops which still includes a good deal of chasing.
Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than 100 books for children and her watercolour drawings are a perfect accompaniment to Elliott’s hilarious text. Her toothy wolf manages to look both menacing and silly and the sheep have tons of personality. This book will have both kids and adults howling with laughter.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. She can read, but sadly has never quite managed to learn to knit.
