Maury Had a Little Lamb

Janette Oke's Animal Friends #9

by Janette Oke

A Janette Oke's Animal Friends book. When the other sheep reject little Shanda, Maury decides to care for her by himself. Soon he realizes he must help her get along with the others so they can live together. Can she make it without him?

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Christian Fiction, Juvenile

Library Binding

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Sophia Barsuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with the very amateur writing, I actually liked this. Shandy the lamb felt like more of a character than Natook the bear, and I liked the little jealousy arc Shandy went through. This was cute. Although there was one moment right at the beginning that actually made me laugh out loud. Shandy's two siblings are nursing from their mother, and at one point the narration talks about one of them "taking his mouth away from the spigot". Sheep have udders with teats on them, not spigots. You can just say "teat", Janette. It's not a bad word. It's a silly word, but it's not a bad one. A spigot is something man-made.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a lamb ... written from the lamb's point of view. Trouble on the farm, and all the mischievous things a lamb can get into ... and a good lesson about accepting others who are not like us, and those who ARE like us.

[Allison Tubaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: contemporary realistic
Grades 4-6

Maury has a Little Lamb is about a mischievous little lamb that seems to get into some kind of trouble where ever he goes. To find out what trouble this little lamb gets into you should read the book.

[Christian Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story! Rejected by his own mother and siblings, poor, hungry Shandy looks to a human family for the food and security he needs. Maury, the young son of the family, adopts Shandy and raises him. When school starts, Maury's mother feeds Shandy but doesn't offer the affection Maury gave Shandy. Being an irresponsible young child, Maury occasionally did not watch Shandy who caused some mischief. When Shandy outgrows his pen he is again introduced to the flock that rejected him. Life changes for Shandy.

I recommend this story for all readers who love animals and anyone who has ever experienced heart-breaking loneliness. Don't we all want to fit in somewhere and feel, if not loved, accepted?

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was cute for little kids. I'll be saving it for later.