Bad Boys [Paperback]

Margie Palatini (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

Wally and Willy are on the lam again. But as Willimina and Wallanda, they're free and clear . . . or are they? These cleverly disguised wolves think they can fool an entire flock with their womanly wool-wear, but three savvy sheep expose their plan. It looks like another close shave for these baa-aad boys!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Palatini weaves this tale of two bad wolves "on the lam," as Willy and Wally dress up in sheep's clothing. They disguise themselves as Willimina and Wallanda, Little Bo Peep's lost sheep, and cozy up to the flock. But they've got their eyes on a lamb-chop cookbook while befriending the ewes. However, old Betty Mutton and Meryl Sheep are not so easily fooled and lead the two bad boys into a shearing experience and expose them for the scoun-drels they are. Puns abound in the sidesplitting narrative, and kids will want to chime in on the "Bad, Bad. Really, really bad" refrain. Cole's vibrant artwork captures the fun and adds to the humor. An outstanding read-aloud and a fine collaboration of text and art, this is a surefire hit for all who enjoy fairy-tale variations, fun puns, and a good laugh.
Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. On the run from a kid in a red hooded cape and three small pigs, Willy and Wally, a couple of wolf brothers, decide to disguise themselves as sheep and hide out, as it were, in the middle of lunch--a flock of sheep. Dressed in woolly garb (and house dresses and purses, just like Trudie Ewe and Meryl Sheep), they conduct a very silly dialogue with the flock, who see through their flimsy disguise almost immediately. The bad boys get shorn, and in the last spread, children see them in their skivvies trying to knit warmer coats for themselves. The exaggerated matronly airs of the sheep seem a little dated, and some of the jokes may be aimed more toward adults than the kids, but there's plenty for the target audience, too, especially in the cartoon-style artwork that gathers up every bit of the humor, capitalizing on the wolves in drag. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (August 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060001046
• ISBN-13: 978-0060001049
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Foxes & Wolves > Fiction
  • #93 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Foxes & Wolves

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bad Boys = Funny Boys, September 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bad Boys (Hardcover)

Clever, funny plot. The two main characters will give readers of all ages lots of chuckles. The illustrations are fabulous. The bad boys as girl sheep are hysterical. Great cover. That illustration makes you laugh even before you open the book. My boys loved it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was leary at first to order this for my classroom but NOW,, November 7, 2004

By 

Truly Trudie (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Boys (Hardcover)

I'm ordering Bad Boys for all my friends, especially the ones between the ages of 30 and 88! Yeah, I'll get one for my classroom too, but I suspect most of the giggles will be with my friends Merle and Betty!

4.0 out of 5 stars Lot's of great vocabulary!!, January 29, 2011

By 

jl "jl" (texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Boys (Paperback)

This book has it all, in my opinion, great vocabulary, cute plot, funny characters. Even if the kids don't understand who Meryl Sheep is, the grown-up reading it will get a kick out of it and all the other word-play going on!