Sheep Books

I read this book while on a cruise with my husband in the Mediterranean. It was absolutely delightful and a must read for children and anyone with children.

This book touches everything all at once. A wonderfull story of a teenager dealing with his emotions and his relationship with a grandfather he feels out of touch with. At the same time bringing in a lesson in the Basque culture and how it affected America. This is a great book for adults and teenagers. I hope Mr. Etchart will continue to bring this knowledge to the readers in such wonderful stories for many more years.

The Good Oak is an excellent "coming of age" book about a 13 year old boy and his Basque sheepherder grandfather. This book will interest any one who enjoys reading about family and the interactions and struggles that make each of our daily lives unique. This book is especially poignant in detailing the Basque shepherd life and general traditions of the American-Basque culture especially about the struggle to assimilate and reconcile the differences among the two cultures. I know this from first hand experience of having grown up with a Basque shepherd grandfather. A truly pleasurable reading that brought back many wonderful memories. Thank you to the author for sharing our unique cultural background with the general public.

I didn't know anything about the Basque (or Basque American) culture when I read this book, but now I want to know more. But it isn't just this fascinating glimpse in an unexplored culture that got me. It's the story of a sullen teenager and his absolutely unforgettable grandfather undertaking a grand adventure -- a quirky generational buddy/roadtrip story that frankly Hollywood should option and make a movie of. I loved this book, teenagers will love this book, fathers and grandfathers will love this book, you will love this book. I have a feeling THE GOOD OAK is going to be one of those novels that you take down from your bookshelves every few years and enjoy the adventure all over again.

"The Other Sheep" is a clean, fast-moving novel which you won't want to put down after you start reading. It gave me a good understanding of who the Nephites and Lamanites were and what happened to them without reading the scripture which can be boring. I recommend this interesting book which contains no offensive language and is suitable for all ages. Hopefully, I shall look forward to a movie epic or miniseries based on the characters in this novel.

Delma Luben's book, The Other Sheep, captures the essence of life in Jerusalem as it might have been 800 years ago. The family conflicts, much like we see in some families today are very believable. Lehi, the patriarch is a devout and god-fearing man whose entire life style is guided by the hand of God. Politics, intrigue, love, hate, and just plain striving to keep food on the table motivate the members of the two involved families as they travel through the wilderness to the sea. Lehi's youngest son, Nephi, supports his father's beliefs, and ultimately, his visions encourage him to provide leadership to overcome obstacles and successfully complete their journey to a beautiful land across the "great waters." This historical adventure may not have the storybook ending you anticipate; because free will granted to humankind may sometimes interfere with God's commandments.

I understand the recorded story of this journey provided a foundation for a new religion several centuries later. The author's inner spirituality is reflected throughout this novelization of scripture.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and an avid reader of both novels and scripture, I was truly amazed at the historical and scriptural integrity in this fictional account of the Nephites and Lamanites. It made me want to re-acquaint myself with The Book of Mormon people and their arduous spiritual journey.

For centuries artists, authors, and composers have been inspired by holy writings, and "The Other Sheep" continues that long tradition. Delma Luben's novel retells the events recorded in the first and second books of Nephi from the Book of Mormon. The gripping story describes the travels and travails of two families commanded by God to leave Jerusalem and venture into the wilderness. Eventually they reach an azure sea and there these landlubbers are astounded when the Lord decrees that they build a ship to continue their journey to the Land of Promise.

The characters involved in this grand adventure are complex and believable. Lehi, the patriarch, is filled with the Spirit as he guides his followers, and the lack of faith of his older sons Laman and Lemuel is an ongoing source of puzzlement for him. Meanwhile, his down-to-earth wife Sariah is often troubled by practical questions: "What kind of life could she expect for her sons? Isolated from civilization how could they reach fulfillment, raise a family, reach their destiny?" Ruth, wife to Lehi's youngest son Nephi, is for the most part a dutiful and loving companion, but news of the planned ocean voyage transforms her into a bundle of irrational fears.

Delma Luben has many years of writing experience, and in particular is the author of a collection of advice for inexperienced writers called "The Writing World." In her deft hands, this story of a quest undertaken faithfully but fraught with family conflict becomes a captivating read.

I loved this book! It has a fairly simple story line, and wonderful, light, airy, whimsical illustrations. The expressions are priceless. Best suited for children 4 and up. Super cute.

Bruce Whatley provides fun simple drawings to accompany the tale of an Australian sheep shearer who doesn't have a sheep dog, but a sheep named Pete who speaks politely to the others, Pete and shearer Shaun are good partners - but the other shearers have a gripe, especially when Shaun creatively sheers Pete with a whole new look. A fun, zany tale is created.

This is a wonderful, quirky story with some great characters. Taking on the manly world of sheep-shearing, Pete and Shawn go about it, well, differently, to the delight of the sheep and the sheep dogs, but to the dismay of the rugged old-school shearers.

The drawings are perfectly matched to the story line, and kids absolutely love the expressions and the dialogue.

Although there's some initial confusion, this is a very original and wonderfully zany story, cleverly disguising a subtle message that "being different" is not only ok--its sometimes superior!

The plot develops a bit too quickly, assuming a knowledge of sheep and sheep dogs not possessed by many kids and some adults. Beneath a fetching opener ("Ratso, Big Bob, and Bungo sheared sheep in Shaggy Gully"), the first spread shows introduces three sheep shearers (Ratso, Big Bob, and Bungo), three sheep dogs (Brute, Tiny, and Fang) and a herd of unnamed fluffy sheep. That's a lot of characters to comprehend at once; furthermore, some won't understand the job of "sheep shearer," and the illustrations is too crowded--you have to work a little to find the dogs among the sheep. That's surprising, because these watercolor and ink illustrations are otherwise uncluttered and clear. The rest of the story is silly/sophisticated humor that neatly shish-kabobs traditional notions about how men should act.

The new shearer on the block (Shaun), employs a sheep-sheep (Pete), instead of a sheep dog. You may need to point out Pete; he's the sheep with the natty hat. "Baa!" said Pete politely, which in sheep talk means, `Delighted to meet you gentlemen. Madam, please follow me, and Shaun will attend to you shortly." Predictably, the traditional sheep shearers protest:

"You can't have a sheep-sheep!" cried Big Bob.
"You need a proper sheep dog," yelled Ratso.
"Strewth," muttered Bungo, who never said much.

IN his thematic response, Shaun replies, "Pete's as good as any sheep dog...We just do things...differently." For starters, Shaun doesn't merely shear sheep, he COIFS them, giving them haute couture clips. Pete, for his part, is unfailingly polite and attentive to their customers, who love Shaun's work so much that they ignore the sheep dogs' herding. As in an old Western, the three men sense trouble, and kick out Pete and Shaun. Undaunted, Shaun gives Pete a new shaved look; the other sheep are so impressed that Pete has an idea, and so "Shaun's Sheep Salon" is born. A very funny series of sheep customers with nouveau wool- follows, and in the coup de grace, even the sheep dogs desert their owners for trims from Shaun! The last few pages complete the transformation, as the herders become professional-level stylists, and Pete's latest idea ("Baa Baaaa!") which means "Everyone can look gorgeous) opens the door to a veritable zoo of new animal clients. The renamed "Shaun's Animal Salon" now serves all animals, great and small, and the newly groomed animals include a panda with a checkerboard top, a rhino with a curly-cue tail, a giraffe with a row of tufted and tied hair running up his neck, and even three human animals--the traditional sheep herders, opening their minds and redesigning their hair. Somehow, Jackie French pulls the whole thing together; her originality doesn't get in the way of the basic goal of telling an entertaining and engaging story.

Exceptional. The author has such a masterful command of language that finishing the book hurts. Believe me, I have zip interest in sheep, and I was left gripping the book until done. The ending had me medicating myself with cookies--such a sharp use of English, when aimed toward the melancholy, cuts deep. I recommend oreos.

A poignant memoir of experiencing Welsh sheep farming with two-mis-matched parents. Clare's description of his life on the farm, the people and his parents made me feel as though I were there with him. He has an excellent descriptive ability that draws one right into the story. Having been brought up in sheep country in West Texas, I related to some of his
experiences. Bettye Johnson, award-winning author, Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls.

I could not put this book down once I began it, but also, did not want it to end. The detail and creativity in describing his incredible childhood and his mother brought back memories of my own Welsh summers. I originally bought this book for a friend, but decided to keep it for myself, and have since ordered three more to share with family and friends. Absolutely lovely writing---

This is the first book that has pushed me to sing its praises in a review at Amazon. It has to be the unique combination of wonderful humor, insight and great storytelling. There a passages contained in this book that have the resonance of the best from Cormac McCarthy. I might be more affected by them due to my similiar upbringing as the author, but his description of the natural world around him, it's rythmes and rules are spot on and will ring true to anyone who has grown up abiding to the forces of nature. Well done!

My 5th grade daughter brought this book home from school and we both ended up reading it. . . and enjoying discussing it. We fell in love with the dog and had lots of fun chats, mostly having to do with speculating about what would have happened if such and such had happened differently.

One great thing about this book is the way that everything that happens to the dog along the way ends up being extremely significant in the end.

My daughter and I had a great discussion about how so many of the bad things that happened to the dog ended up being his salvation. Because without each of those bad events, the happy outcome would never have happened. And not only did Jack save himself, but he saved someone else, too. It's a good theme for her to remember when she encounters difficulty or disappointment. Those things may be the building blocks for something awesome in her future.

I purchased this book by accident and fell in love with it's character Jack the Border Collie and his quest for the perfect home. A heart warming story where Jack runs away from the spoiled child who dresses him up in doll cloths, the ultimate humiliation for a sheep dog. His adventures include hooking up with the Goat Man. I recommend it highly....!

People just don't give cover art enough credit. The cover of a book can make or break a novel, you know. Especially one for children. For example, if the art looks like it stepped out of a 1985 Twisted Sister music video, the book is going to suffer. If it's shiny and has lots of fantastical images crowding for attention, it will possibly do well as an impulse buy. Then you come to covers like the one accompanying Valerie Hobbs's, "Sheep". First of all, nice use of white space. Clever concept too. Who's gonna resist a picture of a dog imagining a sheep? But then you begin to understand just how smart the picture was. This is a book about a young border collie who dreams of herding sheep in spite of the increasingly difficult situations he finds himself in. The dog on the cover of this book is EXACTLY the right age. He's not too old and he's not too young. Add in the intelligent but quizzical look the dog is throwing you and you have a perfect complement to a lovely little book. So a tip of the hat to Patrick Doyle and a big big bow to Valerie Hobbs. "Sheep" is a lovely succinct little tale of a dog, his quest, and his place in the world.

Our hero has had lots of names over the years, but for the purposes of this review let's just call him Jack. Now Jack was born a border collie and he's a border collie through and through. His entire life is bent on the sole purpose of herding sheep someday. Unfortunately, tragedy hits his ranch long before he's old enough to start working alongside his father. When a fire forces Jack's owner to sell him off to the wide wide world, the little pup is devastated. He finds himself in a pet shop and sold to a little girl with let's-dress-the-dog-up-in-baby-clothes issues. With a quick leap over the fence and away, Jack is soon on the road and meeting all kinds of people. He jolts around with a man who lives entirely with a pack of goats. He takes up with a pair of "Of Mice and Men" type cons and after that is made to suffer in a two-bit circus. At last he finds a boy like himself who's alone in the world, and Jack finds that he can still make a difference in someone's life. Even if it doesn't involve herding sheep.

At a scant 115 pages, "Sheep" is an ideal book for any kid who's just gotten comfortable reading chapter books that don't have pictures in them. Jack's tale is always exciting but that doesn't mean it has to rely on constant action. If Hobbs is good at anything she knows how to carry a theme through a book without making it overly obvious or simplified. One of the things I liked about this story was how Jack had a certain innate dignity. Any time that dignity was compromised he would extricate himself from the situation and move on to another. This happens with his first adoption, results in a severe beating he receives later on, and is at the core of why he sticks with the boy he loves at the end. Add in the title's humor and the fact that you never have a moment's doubt that this is a dog you're listening to and you've got yourself a fine little book.

Of course books from a dog's point of view are hardly new. The first thing I thought of when I saw, "Sheep" was Ann Martin's, "A Dog's Life". Dog P.O.V.s exist in everything from the fantastical ("Dogsbody" by Diana Wynne Jones) to the comical ("I, Jack" by Patricia Finney). No one ever gets sick of them and it seems as if you can never have enough of them around. Certainly "Sheep" feels fresh and fine with every page. A great title for kids who refuse to read anything but dog books, kids who are reluctant readers, and kids who just like a good story. Simply swell.

NO, wait a minute! Author Valerie Hobbs believes with " 'boy' ~ 'Blackie' ~ 'Shep' ~ 'Spot' ~ 'Sparky' ~ 'JACK' " that Dogs are NOT for Dancing.

The eyes of this multiple-named border collie tug at your heart from the cover of Valerie Hobbs' "SHEEP." 'Jack' is poised on the brink of adventure. He tells us all about his experiences on the way to achieving his life's dream: "A fellow's got to know he's made a difference." 'Jack' tells us that his passion is to be the best sheepherder ever. Valerie Hobbs' story may have been told many times but in the saga of 'Jack' there is a difference. This border collie has 'character' & 'determination' - - traits that most parents want to see in their offspring/litters of pups. The author includes the requisite reality checks from a sly hobo to a cruel circus master. As counter-balance 'Jack' absorbs a smattering of philosophy, Eisenhower vintage, from friendly adopted owner, the Goat Man: "Love and Grief grow in the same garden" / & / "make your sails of Patience."

Strengthening the story outline is a 'sniffing-out' of a dog's life told convincingly in 'first-person Canine.' This is the strongest part and reminds us that so-called "boys' stories" have great appeal for girls, too, and also grandmas brought up on "The Heart of a Dog" by Albert Payson Terhune (# 0899669840). Hobbs is as deft building her tale as 'Jack' becomes at streaking across fields and feinting sheep. So it is that 'Jack' continues to win (manage) friends and influence (herd) people to do what is good for them - - while delighting the readers of his auto-biography. .

Reviewer mcHAIKU suggests that 'Jack' may gain proud status as a classic.

Chadwick has written a courageous and shocking book detailing the truth--most famous "growing" churches in America are merely engaging in a popularity contest with other area churches. They are having negligible impact on the non Christian communities around them. My team has confirmed all that Chadwick claims and much more besides! During the past 12 years we have done on the ground research proving that famous megachurches in America are made up almost entirely of transfer.

In fact, Chadwick's estimates are way too generous, according to our research. We have found that with only three exceptions, the well-known big churches we have studied have had less than 10% of their people state that they met Christ at that church. Many have less than 5%.

The intriguing point Chadwick makes is that the church doesn't want to discuss these facts, and doesn't want to face them. They would rather sweep these facts under the carpet and continue competing for believers from other churches.

I am forced to agree. Why do churches that measure every aspect of their growth consistently have no information on the composition of their membership in terms of transfers/converts? It's hard to imagine a good reason why churches would fail to gather this crucial statistic.
-Dennis McCallum, author Organic Disciplemaking: How to promote Christian leadership development through personal relationships, biblical discipleship, mentoring, and Christian community

This book has a sobering and timely message: most churches have stopped growing. Sure, many are getting bigger, but that is only because others are getting smaller. Church growth, in other words, is largely that of transfer growth (people leaving one church to join another), with very little due to conversion growth (people being saved and brought into a local fellowship).

This book examines the issue of transfer growth, and the larger phenomenon of the church growth movement. The author argues that transfer growth is wrong and it should be discontinued. In a nutshell, transfer growth gives a false view of the state of the church; it devalues evangelism; it promotes individualism instead of body life; and it detracts from the kingdom of God, exalting instead individual ministries.

The sad fact is, transfer growth adds nothing to the Kingdom of God: it simply reshuffles the deck. The church growth leaders of the 1980s closely examined the data and came to just that conclusion: there was no appreciable growth in the American evangelical population during this period. And the author quotes Australian research to show similar findings here as well

Indeed, the whole issue of church growth needs to be questioned. Too many pastors have fell to the intoxicating spell of numbers - numerical growth is seen as evidence of God's blessing. But, if this growth is simple the recycling of existing Christians, one has to question its validity. The command to reach the lost has degenerated into the desire simply to be bigger. But bigger is not necessarily better, and raiding other churches to become bigger is an unethical means of growth.

Of course this emphasis on numbers and the marketing techniques to obtain such numbers is a product of the secular culture around us. Says Chadwick, "The McChurch has replaced the traditional home church and its relational values. Fast-food Christians pull up to ecclesiastical drive-through windows, order their McGroups, consume the experience and then drive off, discarding relationships like burger wrappers on the highway of life. Savvy church growth pastors quickly learned that significant growth can occur if a church learns how to market its burgers to capture the appetite of this roving crowd."

The truth is, church growth by conversion is a long and difficult task, while sheep stealing is quick and easy. In an age that values instant results, this is a plus. But for a church that has been told to make disciples, not steal sheep, this is a minus. Pastors must resist the temptation to take the easy path.

Also problematic is the fact that people often leave churches for the wrong reasons: to avoid conflict and its resolution; because of personality conflicts; impatience with worship styles; etc. Christians have become shoppers - religious consumers who instead of seeking to plug into a body of believers and stick with it, making it a better place, simply flit from one church to another, much like we flip through television channels with the remote control. Thus both leaders and lay people contribute to the sheep stealing problem.

There are cases, however, when a believer may need to leave a dying church. For example, churches that no longer preach the gospel message, or that teach heresy, or that are abusive, are all cases where a believe probably should leave. But such a move is about sheep rescue, not sheep stealing. It is a healthy type of transfer growth. But such a move should be considered prayerfully. Perhaps in some cases the desire to leave should be reconsidered. Perhaps staying and fighting might result in the renewal of the dying church.

And there is a time and place for a pastor to let go of some sheep as well. Sometimes a change is needed for the person's individual growth. But again, such moves should be prayerfully considered. Escapism is the easy way out too often.

Thus this book does not call for a total ban on transfer growth. But it does dismantle many of the myths about church growth, shows the dangers involved, and points to a better way. In an age of mega-churches, and Christian marketing techniques, we need to be discerning and cautious. Simply adopting the world's methods may seem to bring good results, but such results may in fact be built on sinking sand. Only churches built on the rock will stand. This incisive book helps us to do just that.

From my experience, William Chadwick hits the nail on the head-- church growth is not a numbers game where the largest congregation is necessarily the best. Church growth is helping unbelievers become believers in Christ. Sadly, the church growth movement has devalued the importance of the church to the the point that many individuals think that the ONLY measure of a successful church is ever increasing numbers of people, meaning that only megachurches would fit the bill as successful.

Mr. Chadwick very correctly observes that the result is that Christians move from Church A to Church B, and then on to Church C, etc. In the process, various churches can say they've had an "increase" in attendance. But, in the movement, was one new soul added to the Kingdom of God? Instead of Kingdom growth, it becomes "all about me" as individuals move on to various churches.

Importantly, Mr. Chadwick does recognize there can be times to change a church-- but more when there is doctrinal error.

A key point that his important book highlights is the power of the PR machine available to the large churches. This is evident in many of the well-known Christian programs on radio or TV. While not wanting to criticize them, why are they considered so much better than say the local pastor who labors long hours, and also is able to deliver a credible sermon? The simple, but sad, answer is: money. Sadly, our values have merged with the secular society and now money tends to rule who is considered the "pastor or ministry of note", not the character of the ministry or pastor.

The importance and value of the local church once again needs to be affirmed. Christians once again need to recognize that important ministry can occur when 2, 3, or more are gathered, not the hundreds or thousands. I'm personally familiar with a small church of Eastern European immigrants that is involved in an important ministry outreach. It may not be as flashy as the huge church down the street, but it is also part of Christ's work. All of this is not to say that large churches don't have a place and do important work, they do-- but the world and ministry doesn't solely revolve around them, either.

Almighty God is able to work through both groups. In closing, it is interesting to note that through much of the scriptures many of the movements of note began not with large groups, but when an individual or small numbers of individuals became obedient to the promptings of God. Examples abound-- Abraham, Joseph, Moses, the prophets, and in different apostles in the New Testament. Let us go forth obediently, listening to the voice of God-- whether from small or larger church bodies.

I can't emphasize enough how important this book is. Here is an honest Christian pastor who was and is ready to examine all he has been led to believe in as God's truth in light of Scritpure.

Once led to believe that all growth is God-pleasing growth, Pastor William Chadwick writes of how he discovered to his shock and surprise that Church Growth to date has failed in its goal: kingdom growth.

It has succeeded in what Chadwick calls the sinful growth "Transfer Growth," or stealing sheep, rearranging the flock, etc. He details his discovery of large churches growing at the expense of other churches, shamelessly, unlovingly. Guilty here is the movements principles being drawn not from the mind of Christ, but from the mind of the business world and other enemies of Christ.

What is truly remarkable about this is the fact the Chadwick still identifies himself as church growth believer. He sees a future and place for it still. Although I disagree with the author on this, the church is indebted to this work and his honesty, and what one could only pray and trust that his mind will continue to be open to the Lord's leading.

This is must read for all interested in growing Christ's Church!

This is a charming book that adds to the wealth of knowledge the author has about sheep herding and Border Collies. Anyone who loves McCaig's books will want to read this one.

This small book was purchased as a gift for a young lady who wants a dog. She thoroughly enjoyed Donald McCaig's wonderful prose. Any "dog person" will appreciate this delightful story.

Donald McCaig is a fine writer, especially when he writes about those four-legged creatures he knows and loves so well. A wonderful book to have and to give.

You will treasure this little book, keeping it close at hand to read and reread these wonderful stories.

Sheep are not famous for their personalities... except for the two protagonists of Wild and Woolly, a completely charming new picture book by Mary Jessie Parker, beautifully illustrated by Shannon McNeill. Parker has adeptly created two lovable, funny sheep, as different from each other as .... well, as different as a domestic sheep and a bighorn ram could be. They are so different, in fact, that neither recognizes the other as a sheep when they first meet. This gentle and amusing tale is a lesson in accepting differences, and in learning that though we may be different on the outside we're not all that different on the inside. And it's a foreign language textbook, too, because the clever dialogue gives teacher, parent, or grandma the perfect opportunity to learn to speak fluent Baaaaa!

You know you've bought a winner when your son is sitting in the back of the car, imitating one of the characters: "I'm Picket, Hardy-arf-arf."

Wild and Woolly has quickly become a family favorite. A story of two new friends who explore each other's homes and discover there's more than one way to be a sheep, it resists moralizing in favor of story, and provides three (if you count Picket the dog, which our family certainly does) fantastic role models for children learning to make and keep friends while staying true to themselves.

Mary Jessie Parker's playful language treats adults to some good laughs, while maintaining a clean, resonant story-telling style reminiscent of Frog and Toad. Shannon McNeill's expressive illustrations ice the cake.

...would still be a sheep, wouldn't it? Or would it?
Sheep they are but oh, the differences. Comparisons fascinate, educate and entertain. Parker's spare text, like a mother, favors neither and both. Together they make a whole with adventures of fun as they try to understand and appreciate the other. The charming illustrations add to the appeal of Wild and Woolly and we are loathe to choose between them. Like George and Martha, they go together. Hoping for more episodes of the two and only, Wild! and Woolly.

This is a fun and touching take of "City Mouse/Country Mouse", by way of sheep. The very well-written story appeals to my 3 year olds, but also has enough dry humor to make me chuckle every time I read it - which is very, very often. The illustrations are fantastic, too! The story might be a bit long for the young pre-school set, though my kids easily sit through it; nonetheless, it would be a great buy for anyone with youngsters.

I thought that WOLF AMONG THE SHEEP was a very enjoyable read. This one kept my interest all the way through. It has a fast moving plot with an interesting cast of characters. It has plenty of intrigue revolving around two homicides in two days. Are they connected?? Not to worry....Nick Wolf is on the case! Although Nick might have some issues in life, his intuition and hunches push him in the right direction.

I recommend this book for lovers of creative murder/mystery novels with an added touch of humor.

The irony in the title of Wolf Among the Sheep is that "wolf" implies the bad guy and "sheep," the innocents. Les Blain has created an excellent mystery where the "wolf" is Detective Wolf, but then again it can mean a possible bad person amongst the sheep, any way...this is a great book. I recommend it.The mystery part blows you away; keeps you turning the pages. Blain describes in great detail the lifestyle of the "sheep" in a fundalegalist society of narrow minded Christians who really believe it is, "their way or no way." Wolf has his work cut out for him when two women come up dead and they both have ties to the congregation of "sheep." The wife of the leader of the group sums up the group's mindset when she says, "I listen to him (her husband, the leader) the way a sheep listens to a shepherd. I wouldn't think of going against what he says." Hence, "sheep" may not be so innocent, more of the irony.The book is well written and the characters are delightful, especially Detective Wolf. There is humor, information about many religions, medical facts, police investigatory practices; in total it is a lot of story packed into one mystery. Outstanding.

Les Blain is a former respiratory therapist, photographer, dog lover, and first-time author. Hailing from Central Illinois, he loves to watch trains and people.

Wolf Among The Sheep is Blain's first Nick Wolf detective mystery. Nick is a Second Grade Detective with the Skuller County Sheriff's Police. With twenty years under his belt, Nick is divorced, hates cats, loves dogs, and hates Fundamentalists...especially the type who dominate women. Nick is called upon to investigate an apparent car accident which resulted in the death of one Julie Looper, whom the townspeople knew as Sharon Mowry. Julie/Sharon had gotten involved with The Flock, a group of Fundamentalists headed up by Sam Harshman. Then a psychologist named Dr. Elizabeth Peterson is brutally murdered the day after, right after Nick interviews her. He is the only one who sees a connection, especially after reading Dr. Peterson's descriptions of the seduction of converts to these groups:

"Dr. Peterson had gathered enough experience with this group that some patterns had begun to emerge. The first stage she called the seduction. That was where the potential member came into their initial contact with the group but hadn't yet joined. They maintained their skepticism and their identity at this point. This is the stage that she called 'love bombing' began. Established members of the group were encouraged to pay a lot of attention to the prospect at this point. Lot of phone calls and expressions of concern, gifts and favors out of the blue, that type of thing."

Nick Wolf differs from your basic pulp detective in that he absolutely adores his children and misses being married. In fact, his paternal instincts are his prime motivating force in uncovering this crime. A likeable character who is completely unaffected, Nick is someone the reader can immediately identify with. His caustic wit is his way of handling the horrors he encounters, and his sidekick Benjamin Lowenstein completes an "Odd Couple" type of relationship that is touching and funny. Blain does an excellent job of depicting what life is like in rural America. Life is simple, but people are still as complicated as they are in larger cities. It is the quest for control and power that creates the criminal mind...no matter where one lives. A great read.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

A compelling story operating on many levels, I particularly liked the richness of the details describing settings, characters and the clues to the mysteries.

Detective Nick Wolf is a real character study himself. His unpredictable and even hilarious outlook definitely whetted my reading appetite. I hope this is the first of a series, because I want to read more Detective Wolf stories!

I bought this book for my son when he was 2 because he was infatuated with vacuum cleaners. It is a very cute book about two sheep who decide to clean their house. They have some mishaps along the way, but they get the job done. If your child loves vacuums, this book is a must-have. It is one of a very few children's books that mentions the vacuum cleaner! It is a cute book even for the non-vacuum-lover!

My two and a half-year-old niece has gone Boo and Baa crazy, and requests the Boo and Baa stories several times daily. She makes up little songs about Boo and Baa, and refers to them even when she's not reading the books. I think the appeal is that the stories are about things young children can relate to, and often have experience of, and the hapless sheep find the world as surprising as little ones often do. They may not know why things happen the way they do, but have fun anyway. Also, Boo and Baa are a boy and girl, and they are portrayed as equals. Both are enterprising, both can get a little scared or apprehensive, and they are not slotted into doing "boy things" and "girl things" respectively, but both can do everything, as opposed to many other children's books. This series is a great choice for young readers!

My three year old son loves vacuums. This little book is perfect. You can't go wrong buying it!