Spring is certainly somewhere out there, I’m seeing bunnies and lambs and yellow chicks in stores everywhere….especially the soft, squishy, yummy packages of Peeps…..Ahhh….. Er, uh, anyway, I chose a fun picture book about sheep and one little lamb in particular who does not follow the flock.
Author: Leslie Helakoski
Illustrator: Lee Harper
Publisher: Harper Collins 2008
Genre: Fiction
Audience Age: 3-8
Themes/Topics: Independence, Sheep, Creativity
Opening Sentences: “Woolbur had a little trouble with the herd today,” said Maa. ‘What happened?” asked Paa. “I don’t want to stand still with the sheep,” said Woolbur, “I ran with the dogs instead.”
Synopsis: Woolbur is a young lamb who is not just one of the flock. He is his own shepherd, finding unconventional ways to do traditional things in a fun way. This worries his parents, Maa and Paa. It’s all a happy ending when Woolbur’s creativity catches on.
Why I like it: The story is fun and the artwork is delightful and captures the free thinking spirit of Woolbur. While I feel it is important to teach traditions and conventional ways, it is just as important to encourage ingenuity and creativity. Woolbur, in his enthusiasm, does just that. Rather than stand still with the flock, he wants to run with the sheep dogs. Or instead of being sheared, he wants to keep his warm, fuzzy wool. “But your wool is so long!” said Maa. “I know, ” said Woolbur, “isn’t it great?” And in my favorite picture – instead of carding the wool separately he cards himself into an enormous fluff ball. He also dyes himself blue to his mother’s horror. An then there’s the illustration of him after he weaves his own wool while it’s still on him (think Marie Antoinette hairstyle). Every time he tries something new his parents response is, “but [spinning] is not supposed to be fun!” To which Woolbur responds, “I know! Isn’t it great?” Although Maa and Paa worry about Woolbur’s nonconformity and pull their wool each night, Grandpaa (who looks to be old and wise while he does yoga) assures them they should not worry.
Maa and Paa finally tell Woolbur he MUST do what the flock does, whether it’s spinning, or dyeing, or carding or, shearing. This keeps Woolbur awake all night until he comes up with another creative solution.
Activities/Resources: Lee Harper, the artist for this book has some delightful coloring pages from Woolbur and even Woolbur masks.
Art is always a wonderful way to try new things. Doodling can always generate new ideas. Try this lesson plan
Also retelling a familiar fairy tale promotes creative thinking. For instance in “The 3 Little Pigs” what if the wolf was a nice guy? Or what if the pigs got jobs to build new houses? Ask your child ways one of the character(s) could change something with a different reaction. In Cinderella, what if the step-sisters were nice. Would they get to move into the castle? What if Curious George wasn’t so curious? What is another way he might have met the man in the yellow hat?
Availability: Major bookstores. (If you go to Amazon, you can see some of the book pages and art work.)
(Susanna Leonard Hill is the originator of PPBF and you can find all the other PPB recommendations and links on her blog.)
Think Spring and enjoy the book!
Laura (Grandmamiller)
HI Laura [?]
Went to pop over to your blog and twice received error message “404 . . ” Anyone else say they had the same error?
Off to hook up with you on your blog via goggle engine search . . . Ciao for now [?]
Lori
On Fri, Mar 15, 2013 at 7:24 AM, Laura Miller (a.k.a. Grandmamiller) wrote:
> ** > Laura Anne Miller posted: “Spring is certainly somewhere out there, I’m > seeing bunnies and lambs and yellow chicks in stores > everywhere….especially the soft, squishy, yummy packages of > Peeps…..Ahhh….. Er, uh, anyway, I chose a fun picture book about > sheep and one little “
First time I tried to link – it didn’t seem to go, so I tried a second time. Google has been cranky to me this week….Glad you made it here anyway.
You totally had me with that cover. My kids would LOVE this book!
It is probaaably the cutest book on sheep other than Susanna’s.
I am a dyed in the wool non-conformist! So I know I would love this fun story, Laura. i’m checking the library for it now!
Joanna, I knew you would like this – you and Woolbur have those wonderful, vibrant spirits!
I love books about sheep…. and wool, and knitting or weaving or anything different than the usual.
You wool like this 🙂
A free-spirited lamb — I love the idea of this fun book. Will have to look for it.
It would be impaasible not to like it!
Marching to the beat of one’s own drummer…many kids will appreciate this book and its message, Laura! Thanks for an awesome review and a great activity/resource list.:)
You’re welcome, Vivian. Thanks for stopping by
I’ve been seeing this book around quite a bit lately and I’m in love with Woolbur! He is full of JOY!! It is shearing time here for our goats and this looks like just the right tale for the moment! Thanks for the fun review!
Yes – that’s the word for Woolbur – JOY! Love you new pic on the blog, Rhythm – it makes me smile.
Thanks Ms Miller! I like to see smiles!
Woolbur sounds like my kind of guy. I look forward to finding out what he comes up with in the end.
You’ll like his solution, Julie – both of them!
🙂
Oh My! I have to check out this book to see what he dreamt up next. This is such a fun book. Full of the joy of spring. Thanks Laura (ps: yes Google has been messing with me too lately)
Thanks, Diane, and I’m glad I’m not the only one Google’s been fussy with.
Not only did the Woolbur book intrigue me, but your replies to the comments also gaaaaht me good. AdOrAbLe!
Thanks, Barbara. Maabe thaat should read adoraaable!