Baabwaa and Wooliam, written by David Elliott and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2017. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"The day was perfect for such
a thing. The flowers were blooming. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. This last bit - about the birds - was especially good because adventures usually involved some kind of trouble, and it's nice to have a little birdsong to help you through it."

Two good friends who are sheep, and a wolf in sheep's clothing. Sound like a premise for a story you might like? If you answered with a resounding YES, you are absolutely right!

First, the sheep. Wooliam is a reader. Baabwaa is a knitter. Practical and useful, they like the way their pursuits help their days pass. The sedate life changes significantly one afternoon after Wooliam reads a tale of high adventure, and suggests to his friend that it might be good for them to attempt such an undertaking. Baabwaa is agreeable.

Soon they are off, ready for whatever comes their way. Or are they? As they wander, they enjoy the sights and sounds of a sunny walk. There is a problem. They realize the stone wall that surrounds their field is not conducive to grand adventure. Hungry and tired after their unaccustomed foray into nature, they pause to munch some lunch. Only then does the third sheep appear.

"A sheep with a long, rangy tail.
A sheep with a sharp, whiskered snout.
A sheep with a filthy wool coat."

Remember - Wooliam is a reader, and not about to be fooled. The two run in the face of terror, only to be stopped when the wolf advises he is keen to know more about the idea that Wooliam has read about a wolf such as himself - 'a wolf in sheep's clothing.' Of course, Wooliam is happy to take the book from his backpack and show it to the wolf, who cannot read it. Baabwaa, who is exhibiting motherly feelings toward this wolf with unclean teeth, a filthy coat and the inability to enjoy a book about himself, offers a solution for his reading problem. Wooliam will be his teacher.

There are difficulties.

"The wolf often jumped up in the middle of a lesson
and chased the two sheep around the field.
This irritated Wooliam no end."

Quite the adventure, after all!

The illustrations, created in watercolor, gouache and mixed media, are outstanding and add to the delightful drama of the tale. Expressive characters, exemplary page design and full of the humor that will delight readers and listeners, this is one terrific read aloud tale.