Red Berry Wool Book

Lalo the lamb has sweater envy. Why does the shepherd boy have such a beautiful red wool sweater, when his own wool is straggly, muddy, and full of bits of straw? When his mother tells him that wool becomes a sweater when you wash it, spin it, dye it, then knit it, Lalo memorizes this refrain, determined to be as berry-bright as the boy. He heads for the drinking pond and slosh-sloshes around to wash his wool, but falls right in. Fortunately, when he cries "Help!" the boy comes running. As Lalo attempts to spin his wool (in the meadow, chasing his tail like a dog), and dye his wool (rolling in red berries), he meets with disastrous results, always managing to be rescued by the boy just in the nick of time. And how does his wool look as a result of his efforts? His reflection in the pond shows that he is even stragglier than before! But all is not lost. When his mother tells him that "Knit means to bring things together," the lamb knows he must never leave the boy's side: "Then they sat and watched the sunset stretch from mountain to mountain, turning their whole meadow berry-red." This sweet, clear-as-a-bell story (with endearing, gorgeously textured illustrations) is a winsome, winning read-aloud choice, and while the lamb never transforms his straggly coat, the ending is as happy as can be. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonRead More