Shaun the Sheep:
The Flock Factor by
Martin Howard, illustrated by Andy Janes (Walker Books)
PB RRP $9.95
ISBN 9781406357332
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis
The TV series Shaun the Sheep is from the award
winning Aardman studio, creators of Wallace and Gromit. The book series
coincides with the movie’s pending release. At the beginning of the book is a
double page map of Mossy Bottom Farm in great detail, followed by a brief bio
and image of all the sheep characters, the farmer, Bitzer his dog, and Shaun
the sheep, leader of a flock with human-like intelligence.
Bitzer is always ready to help Shaun get the
mischievous sheep out of trouble, (although they always have a good time). The
farmer of Mossy Bottom Farm is oblivious to all the shenanigans that go on
around him. That leaves the fun-loving sheep to take advantage of his
ignorance.
Mossy Bottom Talent Quest is open to everyone. The
farmer is choosing which jacket to wear and is honing his skill of blowing
balloon animals through his ears.
Shaun decides that the animals of the farm should
have their own talent quest. Sheep verses chickens. Images of fame and the
benefits that it will bring start forming in the sheep’s minds.
Timmy’s mum proves to have a hidden talent that
surpasses all expectations. But she also has extreme stage fright. Shaun must
discover a way to make her get up on stage, and defeat the constantly
ridiculing chickens. Can he do it? Lots of things go wrong but there are also
many surprise outcomes.
The book carries a strong underlying message of
having a go at things, for this can show that you are better than what you
imagined.
The text is sharp and clever, and extremely funny.
It produces strong visual images equal to the TV show. It has fantastic
illustrations with half of them in comic strip form. The six pages of
activities at the end relate to the story.
This series is a winner and kids in the 6+ age group
(and many adults) will love it! It’s ideal for reluctant readers.
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