With its wonderful
wordplay and tricky tangles, it’s not for the faint-hearted! However, it
definitely IS for those who enjoy playful language and a laugh.
‘Do you think the sleepy sheep will sleep on top of
this wild and windy hill?
Baah! No-o-o, this windy hill is far too high and wild
for a sleepy sheep to sleep on!’
The wild and woolly sheep in question has gorgeous big, heavy eyelids and tries its best to fall asleep in different places, but to no avail.
Words and
illustrations alike are playful, evocative and very endearing. Our main sheep is delightfully, typically
woolly and cuddly looking but oh so very tired – and we really just want it to
find somewhere nice to settle in for the night.
The book’s
colour palette is friendly for night-time standards, with gorgeous hues of
darker blue and green that imbue the landscapes with beauty and mystery. A
wider cast of interesting and sometimes shady characters suggest a little bit
of danger and a lot of laughing!
As with all good bedtime books, the ending is delightfully soothing and very satisfying.
Title: Where Will The Sleepy Sheep Sleep?
Author: David Metzenthen
Illustrator: Jonathan Bentley
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: 29 August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761066160
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book