Baabwaa and Wooliam

Praise

Written by David Elliott, this hilarious romp shares a timely and powerful message — that even our enemies can become friends when we discover common threads and common stories. Melissa Sweet’s outstanding art is whimsical and playful.
—The New York Times Book Review

Elliott’s tale is cleverly humorous and a joy to read aloud. Sweet’s illustrations in watercolor, gouache, and mixed media are a stellar accompaniment…The characters are all highly expressive, and the graph paper and strands of yarn in the page design add to the nonstop merriment. Great for knitters, for readers, for fun-seeking adventurers.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Elliott’s droll sense of humor generates lots of laughs—“It says here I’m cruel and sneaky!” complains the wolf after learning how to read. “And your point?” responds Wooliam—which Sweet (Some Writer!) capitalizes on in mixed-media scenes that embody the simultaneous dopiness and intrepidness of the sheep, as well as the wolf’s mix of menace and vulnerability. An off-kilter adventure with charm to spare.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

With illustrations created in watercolor, gouache, and mixed media, this picture book is sure to hold the attention of early elementary children…A fun modern take on the big bad wolf. The colorful visuals warmly convey the drama and excitement of the enjoyable text.
—School Library Journal

David Elliott’s ever-so-clever tale of two sheep, Baabwaa & Wooliam (ages 4 to 8), has the makings of a classic…The story’s droll humor is underscored by Melissa Sweet’s illustrations, which have bold touches of color and smart details (check out the nifty trailer the sheep call home). Here’s hoping Elliott continues the adventures of this wonderful, woolly pair.
—BookPage

This humorous tale features two wooly friends who love knitting and reading. While searching for an adventure, they must learn to work as a team when they find a wolf in sheep’s clothing—literally.
—Shelf Awareness Pro

This is an amusing delight because of both the tongue-in-cheek voice (“Knitting is a very practical hobby for a sheep. It’s surprising not more of them do it.”) and the sprightly mixed-media art…Underpinned by a love of reading (and knitting), there’s plenty to enjoy here.
—Booklist Online

Sweet’s colorful and expressive illustrations, done in watercolor, gouache, and mixed media, add to the fun of this entertaining tale of an unlikely friendship.
—Literacy Daily

The playful multimedia illustrations perfectly match the lighthearted, droll story that’s a tribute to reading.
—The Providence Journal