Bea Rocks the Flock
PreSchool-K—No matter how hard Bea tries, she can't live up to her flock's credo: "SHEEP ARE NOT UNIQUE!" All the other sheep knit the same dull white scarves, but Bea's striped hat, mittens, scarf, and socks scream with color. And as the rest of the identical ewes play their identical recorders, Bea literally marches to the sound of her own big bass drum. After being scolded once too often for not fitting in, she takes off for the big city, where she knows she'll be appreciated. While there, the lone ewe attempts several "jobs," including hanging from a tree like a fluffy cloud, posing as one of the stone lions outside the public library, and dyeing her wool and entering a dog show as a pink poodle. After winning a blue ribbon as "Most Unique Dog," she returns to her flock. They have all missed Bea and are finally ready to live out some of their own dreams with her encouragement. The energetic acrylic illustrations depict a joyous Bea in her pursuit of happiness. Sharp-eyed readers can follow the progressive, silent stories of the city dwellers shown in the backgrounds of the spreads. A predictable, mildly entertaining tale.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.