Argyle [Hardcover]

Barbara Brooks Wallace (Author), John Sandford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Colorful illustrations in a board book follows a little sheep named Argyle who grows multicolored wool. Reissue. SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A sheep called Argyle roams the Scottish highlands, lowlands and midlands and discovers some tasty grass and hundreds of red, blue, white, green and purple flowers. He snacks daily at his secret place. Soon the sheepherder's wife discovers that Argyle has "many-colored" wool. Argyle is sheared and plaid socks are knitted from his wool. Fame and fortune follow, and the sheepherder becomes a bookkeeper of his riches; but Argyle is kept away from the common sheep and suffers the pangs of notoriety. This is a tightly woven story of a dandified sheep, but the insight that being "special" isn't always a blessing might persuade those readers with dreams of greatness to reconsider the notion. Sanford's art of furry-green meadows, well-cultivated hills and healthy and contented faces adds cohesion to the story's outlook. Ages 4-9.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 A sheep named Argyle is appropriately featured in this comic-satiric fable about the blessing of anonymity and the pitfalls of fame. Argyle finds comfort in belonging but also requires time away from the flock. After devouring some delicious flowers, Argyle is magically transformed into a colorful, striped sheep. His enterprising owners use his unique fleece to not only create Scotland's first pair of plaid socks, but also to establish a prosperous business. But fame is fleeting. Deprived of the enchanted flowers, a miserable Argyle loses not only his colors, but his fickle following, too. He happily returns to the comforts of the fold. Sandford is an illustrator to watch. Bold greens and blues that reflect the Scottish countryside dominate the primitive and expressionist style chalk drawings that exhibit a skillful handling of perspective and pattern. And jokes abound for the keen-eyed. The book has the brevity, simple style, and layered meanings of the classic fables, but there's no celebration of peasant virtues here. The McDougals are rewarded financially for their exploitation of the sheep, whose suffering goes unrequited. At its most sophisticated, this is a clever and original commentary on capitalism. All told, a natural for reading aloud. Julie Corsaro, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563970430
• ISBN-13: 978-1563970436
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and creative story, March 7, 2011

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ladybug - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Argyle (Hardcover)

Argyle is a very creative, clever and fun story. Found this when it was first published and have shared many copies with new babies over the years. It is always enjoyed.