Sneaky Sheep

Starred review from August 30, 2010
Despite the dangers they encounter, the two not-very-bright sheep in this hilarious story continue to make “some bad decisions” and are always saved by loyal sheep dog Murphy. Monroe’s (Monkey with a Tool Belt) illustrations expand the story with quirky, comical details about the sheep’s rebellious activities. “They had been known to make some bad decisions over the years,” reads the deadpan text as Rocky and Blossom are seen sunning themselves on railroad tracks, running with bulls, and playing poker with dogs in an homage to Coolidge’s series of paintings. Eager to check out a distant mountain meadow, they repeatedly sneak off—sometimes bursting through the borders of Monroe’s panels—but are always retrieved by Murphy. Rocky and Blossom’s wide googly eyes exude mischievousness, especially compared to the wedged snout of the vicious wolf who chases them to a cliff’s edge in the story’s climax. Both the text and artwork celebrate disobedience, and those looking for a cautionary tale should look elsewhere: the ending hints that some habits (especially bad ones) die hard. Luckily, the same isn’t true of Rocky and Blossom. Ages 4–8.

August 15, 2010
Rocky and Blossom are sheep who have a reputation for disobedience and mischief.  They most certainly do not want to follow the flock; they want to explore a world wider than the low meadow. In the past they have run with the bulls, played with fire and been involved in a variety of other "bad decisions." Murphy, the sheepdog, knows all about them. In this inaugural adventure, they get into a particularly dangerous situation involving a wolf and a cliff, but wise and steadfast Murphy saves the day. Monroe's comic-book background is evident. Sharp, bright, cartoon-like illustrations in a variety of sizes and shapes are interspersed with short declarative sentences. These are rendered in dark, large type in a mixture of upper- and lower-case letters and placed above, below and in the middle of the illustrations without ever cluttering the page. The text is further augmented with bubbled dialogue and labels. The silly antics will tickle young readers, who will want to visit with these daring sheep again and again. Fun for all. (Picture book. 3-8)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

September 1, 2010

PreS-Gr 2-Rocky and Blossom are serious troublemakers. These sheep have been known to skateboard without helmets, sunbathe on train tracks, and even run with scissors. Murphy the sheepdog doesn't trust them a bit, and, when he hears of their interest in the forbidden high meadow, he begins to watch them like, well, a sheepdog. Then one day while he is distracted, they make a successful break. They hide themselves in the company of a hungry wolf and are suddenly in mortal danger. Trusty Murphy shows up to save them, of course, and all is well for the fluffy, fast-moving, not-so-forward-thinking pair. Monroe's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are entertaining; kids will enjoy following Rocky and Blossom's antics both in and out of panels. And who knew that sheep eyes, simply circles and dots, could say so much? Even though they can't be trusted to stay where they belong, be sure to make a place on the library shelves for these rebels.-Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2010
Preschool-G For Rocky and Blossom, living among 147 other sheep in their lowland meadow is like torture. Especially when, high up the mountain, there appears to be a patch of choice clover. That meadow up there SURE looks sweet! says Rocky (or Blossomthey look pretty much the same). The one problem is Murphy, the kindly cattle dog who recalls that the troublesome two had been known to make some bad decisions over the years. Monroes squiggly, mischievous illustrations hit a high point here, using a two-page spread to show the sheeps past foibles: skating a half-pipe (without helmets!), suntanning on train tracks (while listening to iPods!), running with scissors (scissors!), and so forth. The irascible duo is tons of fun to follow across the pages; Monroe even blasts them through panel borders to illustrate just how incredibly sneaky they are. Ultimately, a dark forest, a hungry wolf, and a steep cliff figure into their comeuppancethough a final page suggests this wont be their last dubious deed. Monroes comic timing is positively Mo Willemsesque.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2011
Mischievous sheep Rocky and Blossom finally escape the watchful eye of sheepdog Murphy, then go gallivanting in the off-limits High Meadow. When a wolf appears, Murphy shows up at just the right moment. All sorts of sheep-related dangers--from steep cliffs to wool-crazed knitters--are humorously rendered in illustrations that make effective use of white space and dialogue bubbles.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)