Sheep Hunting

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox illustrated by Judy Horacek.

I love this book! And, more importantly, so does every toddler (18 months to 3 years) that I've read it to.

The simple repetition and rhyme scheme:

Here is the blue sheep, and here is the red sheep. Here is the bath sheep, and here is the bed sheep. But where is the green sheep?

and characterful illustrations, have great child appeal. Within a couple of repetitions, Mitchell was 'reading' the story to me.

Favourite pages include the Moon and Star sheep, and the party scene, which is full of detail to be investigated.

It also provides a great introduction to simple vocabulary, colours and comparisons (near and far sheep); helping children to learn without learning.

As the story ends with finding the Green Sheep fast asleep, it makes a great bedtime book; providing a nice segue into going to sleep, 'just like the green sheep'

The board book version is better than the hardback one, as children want to turn the pages themselves to find the green sheep. And the square shape is subtly attractive -- it makes you want to hold it in your hands!

Despite the relatively small size (though large for a board book), the large clear illustrations mean that it works well as a read aloud to a group of up to 10 or so children. It does work best with the under 3 crowd, as there isn't enough plot to retain the interest of older children.

Our copy arrived with a promotional green sheep which is almost as beloved as the book itself. Opening up lots of opportunities for playing 'Where is the green sheep?' all over the house.