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The Great Sheep Shenanigans
A confident wolf named Lou Pine is in for a surprise when he disguises himself and tries to outwit the "dumb" sheep.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2011
About the author
Peter Bently
173 books47 followersPeter Bently is married with two children, and lives in south England. He studied languages at Oxford University and has written over 40 titles, one of which led to him being awarded the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 2, 2019
Lou Pine's plots are less complicated than Wile E. Coyote's, but there is a certain similarity that is hard to miss. Silly, but in a way most kids will probably appreciate.
June 14, 2012
As the person who adds all the materials to our collection at the library, I am privvy to everything new. This book really tickled my funny bone with the witty rhyming and good illustrations. I usually don't stop to read the books I process but this one was certainly worth it - from an adult's point of view, anyway!
March 24, 2012
It had me at Lou Pine, LOL. Not since Wile E. Coyote has a sheep hunter been so inept. Silly, rhyming good fun!
May 11, 2012
Excellent reading aloud rhythm, wonderfully inept lead and as always, a well-timed poo joke is always welcome.
December 30, 2017
With a stunningly cunning plan, Lou Pine, finds a disguise that is sure to deliver a lamb stew or two. But this flock of sheep aren't quite the dumb mutton they seem...
I have an embarrassing secret to tell, well it won't be a secret anymore. I didn't know what mutton was until I was a grown up. In Spanish you don't use different names for different types of stews. It's chicken stew, beef stew, sheep stew, etc. You name the type of meat or vegetable being used and add stew or soup to the end. I didn't know what mutton was until very recently. This is why I kept reading the story. Then the beautiful and diverse vocabulary full of synonyms was introduced and I was in love.
As an elementary school teacher I'm always looking for good children's books. Not just pretty pictures but books full of great tales. They can be cautionary, funny, or scary tales that kids really like BUT that also have high quality vocabulary. I use a lot of picture books to teach. It can be Chrysanthemum, that not only talks about identity but also bullying and has great vocabulary words. I choose books that are not just fun, actually sometimes I choose silly books that will make my students laugh like The Princess and the Pony. A pony that farts! Farting is always funny to 8 year olds. Always.
I digress, my point is that when I find a book like this one, The Great Sheep Shenanigans (even the title is amazing), I find gold. It's a hidden gem and you bet I'm going to read it to my third grade class. I work with English Language Learners (ELL) and it's always grammar, and phonics, and structured reading. The only time they get to enjoy books is during read aloud time. There's been tears when we have to skip this time. Like actual tears. This is their favorite time of day. They get to listen to me read to them and they think they're not learning, but I'm sneaky. This will be one of my sneaky books. The book I read every year. The book I give to a group to find and define all the words they don't know and then make a poster for their presentation. There is so much beautiful vocabulary in this book.
In the picture above we are introduced to Rambo the Ram...come on Rambo the Ram!!! RAMBO THE RAM!! I love it. He uses words like scram, vamoose, not welcome, buzz off. The picture backs up what he is saying and even if one or all of my students don't know what every word means they can use the picture or context clues to figure out they all mean to leave. There are so many examples of this type of high vocabulary throughout the book and I love it. Also, it's very funny.
Rambo the Ram. He aimed his big horns at the wolf's derriere and sent him skedaddling up in the air. "Ouch! My behind!"
And you see poor Lou's behind hurting and him jumping in the air. Seriously, this is a must read for parents and/or teachers. The kids will love it and you will feel good because you are giving them a smart children's book.
I have an embarrassing secret to tell, well it won't be a secret anymore. I didn't know what mutton was until I was a grown up. In Spanish you don't use different names for different types of stews. It's chicken stew, beef stew, sheep stew, etc. You name the type of meat or vegetable being used and add stew or soup to the end. I didn't know what mutton was until very recently. This is why I kept reading the story. Then the beautiful and diverse vocabulary full of synonyms was introduced and I was in love.
As an elementary school teacher I'm always looking for good children's books. Not just pretty pictures but books full of great tales. They can be cautionary, funny, or scary tales that kids really like BUT that also have high quality vocabulary. I use a lot of picture books to teach. It can be Chrysanthemum, that not only talks about identity but also bullying and has great vocabulary words. I choose books that are not just fun, actually sometimes I choose silly books that will make my students laugh like The Princess and the Pony. A pony that farts! Farting is always funny to 8 year olds. Always.
I digress, my point is that when I find a book like this one, The Great Sheep Shenanigans (even the title is amazing), I find gold. It's a hidden gem and you bet I'm going to read it to my third grade class. I work with English Language Learners (ELL) and it's always grammar, and phonics, and structured reading. The only time they get to enjoy books is during read aloud time. There's been tears when we have to skip this time. Like actual tears. This is their favorite time of day. They get to listen to me read to them and they think they're not learning, but I'm sneaky. This will be one of my sneaky books. The book I read every year. The book I give to a group to find and define all the words they don't know and then make a poster for their presentation. There is so much beautiful vocabulary in this book.
In the picture above we are introduced to Rambo the Ram...come on Rambo the Ram!!! RAMBO THE RAM!! I love it. He uses words like scram, vamoose, not welcome, buzz off. The picture backs up what he is saying and even if one or all of my students don't know what every word means they can use the picture or context clues to figure out they all mean to leave. There are so many examples of this type of high vocabulary throughout the book and I love it. Also, it's very funny.
Rambo the Ram. He aimed his big horns at the wolf's derriere and sent him skedaddling up in the air. "Ouch! My behind!"
And you see poor Lou's behind hurting and him jumping in the air. Seriously, this is a must read for parents and/or teachers. The kids will love it and you will feel good because you are giving them a smart children's book.
November 9, 2020
Such a lovely, funny rhyming story about a wolf (Lou) who is trying to get a lamb for dinner! Lou has to use many disguises, but things always go wrong in a very amusing way. Children will need prior knowledge of 'Little Red Riding Hood' in order to fully access this text. I would definitely use this with a year 1 class. There is lots of exciting vocab to explore too.
The illustrations would be great for applying book codes to. E.g. some are over a whole double page, some are bordered in whilst others are whole page, viewpoint differs etc.
The illustrations would be great for applying book codes to. E.g. some are over a whole double page, some are bordered in whilst others are whole page, viewpoint differs etc.
October 18, 2019
I enjoyed the plot of this story and the clever rhymes, although silly at times, a KS1 age group would find it hilarious! It follows simplistic character archetypes that younger children would understand making it something to read or that age group!
April 15, 2020
Silly picture book with puns and wordplay and fluffy, fluffy sheep. Definitely a kids sense of silliness. I'd pull this one out for wolves or sheep storytime themes, or for a rhyming/vocabulary focus.
Lou Pine! Hehehe
Lou Pine! Hehehe
May 4, 2017
hilarious! very fun read
May 15, 2017
Colin and I thought it was cute, with great illustrations and language that was expansive for kids. Bede would sit still for it about half the time.
June 7, 2017
Fun read with kids
My six year old has asked me to read this book repeatedly. I just wish it was a little longer.
My six year old has asked me to read this book repeatedly. I just wish it was a little longer.
August 12, 2017
This is a really fun rhyming book for a younger audience.
December 2, 2017
Cute story. This would be good for a storytime. Lots of wonderful descriptive language. I love the cotton candy scene. Humorous.
March 25, 2018
A funny twist with a great ending.
March 27, 2018
Sheep!!!
November 28, 2018
It was hilarious! The rhyme was pleasant and the story itself was nicely thought and amusingly written. Wouldn't mind rereading this one.
February 24, 2021
Fun book nice reference to Little Red Riding hood.
July 7, 2021
Funny rhyming book with a clever story. The end was a bit too low brow, but the rest was great.
August 28, 2021
Didn’t like the illustrations. Lou was a big bag of poo. I didn’t like him because he was quite dim. The end.
December 30, 2022
I kinda felt bad for the wolf. I know he was trying to eat the sheep but I felt bad for all the humiliation he suffered.😂
January 25, 2023
Lou searches for disguises to pull the wool over Rambo’s eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
The Great Sheep Shenanigans by Peter and Mei.
It's Basically a poem.
An Early Years Delight.
It's Basically a poem.
An Early Years Delight.
November 12, 2018
Hilarious!!!
This was a funny story! My son just loved it! I think we will get the other book too ☺️☺️☺️☺️
This was a funny story! My son just loved it! I think we will get the other book too ☺️☺️☺️☺️
January 2, 2017
The idea behind the story is good but I found the text to be a little dull. My young daughters enjoyed it as it was a new story but not one of the better stories we have read together. I'd say it is suitable for under 5yr olds (it barely held the interest of my 7 and 5 year olds).
July 29, 2014
Written in rhyme, full of wit and humour, this book is so much fun to read aloud. A conniving wolf named, Lou Pine (pun intended I'm sure) was prowling around a flock of sheep looking for a young, tasty lamb to fill his meat cravings. He snuck through the hedge and came head-on with the flock's guardian, Rambo the Ram, who snorted smoke from his nostrils and wielded boxing gloves in the face of the perpetrator. "Scram!" bellowed Rambo. "Vamoose!" Steer Clear!" Wolves are NOT welcome! Buzz off out of here!"
Lou, not to be outsmarted decided to don a disguise so he could infiltrate the flock and fulfill his heart's desires. Mmmmmmm....how would he like that served up? What should he choose? Lamb cutlets? Roast leg of lamb? Chops with mint sauce? Lamb stew? Burgers? Moussaka? or Lamb vindaloo? He licked his chops in delight and salivated just thinking of the possibilities. After many attempts at the perfect camouflage he decided on a sweater knit by none other than Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother. The old lady in her wisdom knew exactly how to outwit the nasty wolf bully named Lou Pine.
The outcome of this tale will have your child (and you) rolling on the floor with laughter. I won't spoil it for you here but believe me the wolf will not try that shenanigan again for a long, long while.
Smell you later.
FYI: Smell you later was used as a farewell. The phrase "smell you later" is another way of saying goodbye. Invented in the 20th century, its prime usage was in the 1990's. Its slow decline started in the early 2000's. The phrase was mostly used by the young. "Smell you later" is very similar to "see you later" and means the exact same thing. Although not as popular as a farewell anymore, people still recognize the phrase and its meaning.
Lou, not to be outsmarted decided to don a disguise so he could infiltrate the flock and fulfill his heart's desires. Mmmmmmm....how would he like that served up? What should he choose? Lamb cutlets? Roast leg of lamb? Chops with mint sauce? Lamb stew? Burgers? Moussaka? or Lamb vindaloo? He licked his chops in delight and salivated just thinking of the possibilities. After many attempts at the perfect camouflage he decided on a sweater knit by none other than Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother. The old lady in her wisdom knew exactly how to outwit the nasty wolf bully named Lou Pine.
The outcome of this tale will have your child (and you) rolling on the floor with laughter. I won't spoil it for you here but believe me the wolf will not try that shenanigan again for a long, long while.
Smell you later.
FYI: Smell you later was used as a farewell. The phrase "smell you later" is another way of saying goodbye. Invented in the 20th century, its prime usage was in the 1990's. Its slow decline started in the early 2000's. The phrase was mostly used by the young. "Smell you later" is very similar to "see you later" and means the exact same thing. Although not as popular as a farewell anymore, people still recognize the phrase and its meaning.
July 23, 2013
Lou Pine, a wily old wolf, lets his stomach do the talking as he sneaks up on a flock of sheep.
“A lamb for supper will taste mighty fine!”
Full of confidence and cunning, Lou slunks through the hedge and meets......Rambo the Ram.
“Scram!” bellowed Rambo. “Vamoose! Steer clear!”
Shocked by the sight of the curly horned, boxing glove wearing ram; Lou is not the least bit discouraged and comes up with an array of plans on which to proceed. Whether hanging out in a white gown on a clothesline, obtaining a white stripe from a street painter, or spinning into pink fluff in a cotton candy machine, Lou’s plans, though creative and action packed, are an epic fail. It isn’t until Lou makes a visit to Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma that he moves closer to achieving his goal of delectable little lamb chops.
Young readers will enjoy the journey as Lou tries time and time again to trick the sheep. Filled with expressive words like “skedaddling” and “kersplat” Benton keeps the vocabulary peppy. Excitingly fun, this sing-songy rhyme never grows old and is packed full of surprises that are sticky, buzzy, and stinky to name a few.
“A lamb for supper will taste mighty fine!”
Full of confidence and cunning, Lou slunks through the hedge and meets......Rambo the Ram.
“Scram!” bellowed Rambo. “Vamoose! Steer clear!”
Shocked by the sight of the curly horned, boxing glove wearing ram; Lou is not the least bit discouraged and comes up with an array of plans on which to proceed. Whether hanging out in a white gown on a clothesline, obtaining a white stripe from a street painter, or spinning into pink fluff in a cotton candy machine, Lou’s plans, though creative and action packed, are an epic fail. It isn’t until Lou makes a visit to Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma that he moves closer to achieving his goal of delectable little lamb chops.
Young readers will enjoy the journey as Lou tries time and time again to trick the sheep. Filled with expressive words like “skedaddling” and “kersplat” Benton keeps the vocabulary peppy. Excitingly fun, this sing-songy rhyme never grows old and is packed full of surprises that are sticky, buzzy, and stinky to name a few.
March 25, 2015
This is a story about a wolf and his attempt to have lamb for supper. First, Lou Pine (the wolf) thinks he is just going to sneak up on the sheep, but he is headed off by Rambo the Ram. Next, he decides to disguise himself in a white fluffy gown frm Ma Watson's clothes line, but she shot him down with a water gun.Then, Lou laid in the road to covered in gunk, but the sheep just laughed at him because he looked like an overgrown skunk. Next, he tried wrapping himself up like cotton candy, but the bees took care of that. So, he decided to go to Red Riding Hood's grandma where Lou demanded her to make him a sweater. So, she made him a sweater, but there was a string sticking out that she tied to her bedpost. By the time he reached the pasture his sweater was unraveled and he was meet by Rambo the Ram again. Rambo booted him out and Lou landed in a pile of poo. And they all lived happily ever after. This would be a good book to have in the classroom for the students to read during silent reading time.
June 7, 2012
A lamb for my supper will taste mighty fine! thought a wily old wolf by the name of Lou Pine as he sneakily, slyly snuck up on the flock. But it wasn't the sheep that were in for a shock With a stunningly cunning plan, Lou Pine finds a disguise that is sure to deliver a lamb stew or two. But this flock of sheep aren't quite the dumb mutton they seem.
Subjects
Sheep -- Juvenile fiction
Wolves -- Juvenile fiction.
Stories in rhyme
I read this to my Family Storytime group and the older children loved it.
Subjects
Sheep -- Juvenile fiction
Wolves -- Juvenile fiction.
Stories in rhyme
I read this to my Family Storytime group and the older children loved it.
May 7, 2012
Lou Pine the wolf terrorizes a flock of sheep protected by Rambo the Ram in this delightful and beautifully-illustrated children's picture book. Incorporates elements of fables (wolf in sheep's clothing) and fairytales (Little Red Riding Hood). Soft and sunny illustrations with deceptively simple lines and shapes and lots of color and pastoral beauty. A fun read-aloud for and with little ones (toddlers, probably).
May 19, 2012
Grades Pre-K to 3. Lou the wolf is determined to wolf down some lamb-- but keeps getting discovered my rambo the ram! He tries all sorts of silly disguises-- even getting Red Riding Hood's granny in on the job. Cute rhyming text and funny story/illustrations will make this a hit. A fun read-along for red-riding hood fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews