Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

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.