Creepy Sheepy

PreS–Sleepy Sheepy visits the Halloween store with his family. He holds a picture of a werewolf costume and has an excited expression. Once inside, he immediately starts to beg and plead and howl for the werewolf costume. His dad says no and offers other suggestions. Sheepy is determined and eventually gets his way. On Halloween, Sheepy finds the costume uncomfortable but goes through with wearing it. Outside, he sees many other kids wearing the same costume. He goes back inside to change from the werewolf costume into pajamas to be a “Sheepwalker.” The family goes on to have a fun night out, and the book ends with the parents tucking Sleepy Sheepy into bed. The story is sweet and appropriate for young readers but sometimes confusing. What makes the werewolf costume so important to Sheepy? Why does his dad resist? Text uses rhythm and rhyme with mixed results. Some passages flow nicely, while others feel forced or confusing. Careful adult reading reveals some puns that will be lost on young readers, such as “Sheepy’d begged to wear-wolf and his pa’d gone along!” Illustrations are scanned watercolor textures and digital paint: the result is basic but works for the story. Images are bright and clear, and the cartoonish characters are easy to track. Some of the details and expressions are extremely funny. Text is well placed on the pages for easy readability and playful interaction with the images.