My Favorite Pets: By Gus W. for Ms. Smolinski's Class

Birdsall (the Penderwicks series) goes straight for hilarity in a story framed as a boy's school assignment, with Bliss (Grandma in Blue with Red Hat) as an inspired coconspirator. Gus has a flock of 17 sheep, a healthy dose of curiosity, and parents who can't quite keep up with him. His composition for Ms. Smolinski's class, which appears in penciled handwriting across Bliss's supremely goofy spreads, investigates his sheep and their interactions with the human world. Gus records his flock's ability to understand language ("A girl sheep is a ewe. If you say, 'Hey, Ewe, ' she won't answer"), their dislike of small spaces ("You can't put them into a car"), and some fashion notes. "Sheep look silly with pajamas on their heads," he writes, memorializing the dazed face of his victim with his cell phone camera. When Gus brings the whole flock into the house, total ovine chaos ensues ("You can tell them it's your little brother's fault. You will get sent to your room anyway"). It's a wooly stampede of guffaws all the way. Ages 3-7. Author's agent: Barbara Kouts, Barbara Kouts Agency. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (July)

K-Gr 3--Gus writes a report about his favorite pet(s): his family's 17 sheep. He begins with some basic facts about sheep but quickly slips into relating amusing details about his mischievous antics with the animals. Gus writes about his efforts to trade his little brother for a lamb, the time he dressed up a sheep in his teacher's borrowed scarf, and his attempts to teach the sheep to ride a skateboard and a bicycle. He includes brief references to his parents' reactions ("What were you thinking, Gus?"). But the last straw comes when the boy leads the sheep into the house, where they create quite a mess. "But we were only upstairs for a minute!" Gus's mother exclaims. Bliss's delightful illustrations take Birdsall's funny text to the next level by showing the extent of the trouble that Gus's grand ideas cause as well as the innocent-looking sheep. As fitting with an elementary school report, the text appears to be handwritten on notebook paper; Ms. Smolinski gives Gus a B] and comments on his improved penmanship. VERDICT A thoroughly engaging book that children are bound to giggle through. A first purchase.--Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT