Big Bad Sheep

Big Bad Sheep

When a few sheep in the meadow overhear the Three Little Pigs yelling, "The Wolf is Dead! The Wolf is Dead!" two sheep friends, Karl and Locke, begin to wonder what The Big Bad Wolf was really like.

     "What do you think he was like? Bad!"
     "Really bad?"
     "Of course." Karl knew what he was talking about. "That's the way wolves     are."

As the conversation continues Karl realizes that The Big Bad Wolf was paid and his job is now officially open.  Karl, the sheep, wants to be The Big Bad Wolf.  He will apply for the job.

Karl and Locke walk to the Job Center, interviewed by the office manager, an official dwarf.  After much convincing the dwarf hands over the wolf's clothing where Karl will be on probation for 2 days. 

And the story only gets more silly, tongue-in-cheek, and laugh out loud funny from there.  Keeping in line with traditional fairytales, there are a few moments of gruesome detail when Lockes's friend,Rene, has to deal with Locke's bullying and briefly gets eaten by the Big Bad Wolf. 


If you enjoy fractured fairy tales, this story will not disappoint.  The story reminded me of a different version of "A Tale Dark and Grimm" by Adam Gidwitz.  I have booktalked that book for 4-6th graders.  Like in that story, Big Bad Sheep is not afraid to make the reader squirm a little, drawing them into the story even further.  This book is much shorter at 64 pages and has black and white sketches throughout. Geared to 3-5th grades, I believe boys would especially appreciate this story. 

Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen

Big Mean Mike is the meanest, toughest dog in the entire neighborhood.
He has the meanest bark. Mike has big, mean teeth and his black collar has mean, silver spikes. Clearly by the colorful, graphic pictures all the other dogs get out of his way when he comes around.

So when Mean Mike discovers a soft, fuzzy bunny in the trunk of his big, mean car, he sits it down on the sidewalk, speeding away knowing that bunnies and mean dogs don't go together.

As the story continues, the bunnies begin multiplying, not leaving Mike alone.
Like any good, tough guy, Mike eventually learns it is acceptable to be tough and caring. 

I especially loved the large, graphic pictures throughout the entire story.  With details of skullbones and spikes, the reader is not fooled by Mike's mean exterior, especially as the tiny, white bunnies keep popping up.

Picture book pre-k - 3.  Would be a fun read aloud to grades 4-5 when dealing with friendships, bullying, self-image.