Feeding the Sheep by Leda Schubert, pictures by Andrea U'ren - review

You know what I love for first and second graders? I love a good process book. Whether it's baking a cake or sculpting a clay pot, any book that starts with raw materials and ends with a manufactured item, and shows us the steps in between already has a leg up in my esteem.

Unfortunately, some process books can be - how do I say this - boring.

Not Feeding the Sheep (and not either of the other two books I linked to).

Feeding the Sheep starts with the woolly creatures eating corn and hay on a winter day and ends in autumn, with a sweater as warm as a hug. Structured as simple Q-and-A dialog between a little girl and her mom, we see the sheep being sheared, the wool washed and dried, spun into yarn, dyed, and knit into a sweater.

Andrea U'ren's watercolor art manages to be both scenic and energetic, and extends the information given in the text. I am not familiar with this illustrator (OHHH! She did Mary Smith, that odd, great-looking book about the woman with the peashooter), but she paints animals and people with as much verve as Stephen Kellogg, interiors with a draftsman's precision, and landscapes with the assurance of someone who has spent a lot of time outside with an easel. The mom and little girl, in her hands, are people that I'd like to know.

A fantastic gift for the knitter in your life, and a great addition to the elementary classroom.

Comments

[leda]

Thank you!! What a delicious surprise.

Leda Schubert

[:paula]

Leda, I am really looking forward to introducing your book to the first graders at our school. They do a farm trip every fall, and the focus is usually on food production. Your book will give the teacher a road in to discussing other farm products. Maybe I can convince the art teacher to do a dying project!

[Sarah Zogby]

Hi Leda AND Paula, Sarah Zogby here, Andy Auseon's wife. Leda, we have missed you so -- though always feel close when reading a Winnie book or Here Comes Darrell. The interesting connection is that Samara (remember that little baby?!) is going to kindergarten next year at the school where Paula is the librarian! Small world. All my best (and Andy's of course) to you. Can't wait to read Feeding the Sheep (and perhaps have Samara read it again in school!) It sounds marvelous.

[Paula]

WHOA.

Also, does that mean Samara is going to be in kindergarten with her cousin Quinn? Can't wait to meet you both!

[Grown Ups Movie]

Awesome Book...I am really looking forward to introducing your book to the first graders at our school. Can't wait to read Feeding the Sheep (and perhaps have Samara read it again in school!) It sounds marvelous.

[leda]

Just found this thread! How very cool that Samara will have such a great librarian. And how nice to hear from you, Sarah!
leda

[Andreauren]

Thank you so very much for your kind review of FEEDING THE SHEEP. Wish I could spend some time with people (or with sheep for that matter) Oh -! I'm not comparing people to sheep. It's just that I'm lonely and am working lots and lots.
Wonderful blog, even if you had not included Leda Schubert's and my li'l book. And really nice that you liked good ole MARY SMITH.
Working alone all the time, us writers & illustrators. It helps piles to see, to find that our work has an audience. Many many thanks again.
All my best,
Andrea U'Ren