From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1–Russell can't sleep. While the other sheep are dozing off, he ponders the problem of insomnia. Is he too hot or too cold? Perhaps a better place would help. When nothing works, he tries counting things. He starts with his feet, and then moves on to the stars ("six hundred million billion and ten")–twice. Finally, the quintessential cliché comes to him, and he counts sheep. Russell nods off just as the new day dawns and the others awaken. Scotton makes a captivating debut with this comical tale. He illustrates it with a witty, engaging, and fluffy character bathed in calming blue hues. With his wide-eyed, startled expression; froggy sidekick; and animated, blue-and-white-striped nightcap, Russell will win the hearts of readers, who will want to look at the pictures over and over to catch all the clever detail.
–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Library Binding
edition.
From Booklist
Pres-Gr. 1. Russell is one wide-awake sheep. When the sky grows dark and the other sheep in Frogsbottom Field drift into slumbers, Russell's eyes ("BOING!") are wide open. It's not for lack of trying: he pulls a nightcap over his eyes, removes his wool, and uses a pillow. He tries different locations: a rusty car, a hollow tree, a high branch. And counting things: his legs, the stars, and finally (yawn) sheep. Even young children will relate to Russell's predicament in this simple, satisfying story told with economy and illustrated with wit. The artwork, in a cool palette of muted blues, greens, and grays, is subtle and pleasing. But the real fun here is in the details, from the fat sleeping sheep with their skinny legs pointing skyward to the small, expressive changes in Russell's round eyes. A droll bedtime read-aloud that will amuse those listening as well as those reading
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
See all Editorial Reviews
(5)
$11.55
(101)
$11.89
(8)
$5.49
(132)
$11.19
