Barnaby the Runaway Sheep: A Parable of the Lost Sheep

by Maria Antonia, Sayani Mukherjee (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about Barnaby with an important message about trust and finding your way. Based on a real runaway sheep in New Zealand, this is a great read aloud filled with onomatopoeia and adorable illustrations. Fun facts in the back matter add to this perennial tale.

[Maryna Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable book! I loved the biblical aspect of the story and the real life connection. Parents of kids ages 4-8 will love this book to teach their children about shearing sheep and to introduce them to the Bible story of the lost sheep. The back matter in the book is great. The illustrations are wonderful! Overall, excellent book!

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet! Can be used to discuss the parable of the lost sheep...or convince a kid to get a hair cut. Bright, bouncy illustrations are engaging and emotional.

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby is a sweet little sheep with a fear of the shears. He runs away from his loving home on the farm to avoid shearing time but ends up alone and afraid. His wool grows thicker and thicker as does his fear until he longs to return to his kind shepherds. When the shepherds find Barnaby scared in a cave, they take him home and shear off the matted wool. Barnaby realizes the shears don’t hurt after all and he feels much better without being weighed down by the wool or his anxiety. The message of trusting others and overcoming your worries are perfect for children aged 4-8 as are the delightful and bright illustrations.

[Lori Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a delightful and engaging tale that cleverly blends a simple farm story with timeless lessons of faith and trust. Barnaby, a cute and curious lamb, loves the farm life but dreads the upcoming shearing time. Despite the comfort and care of his shepherds, his fear of the shears leads him to run away, and he spends weeks in hiding, feeling lonely and unsure. As his wool grows thicker and heavier, so does the weight of his fears.

This charming story is not only a beautiful retelling of the biblical Parable of the Lost Sheep but also a gentle introduction for children to the importance of trust and overcoming anxiety. As Barnaby realizes that his fears are unfounded, he longs to return to the safety and love of his shepherds. Sayani Mukherjee's illustrations are vibrant and captivating, capturing both the innocence of Barnaby’s world and the emotional journey he undergoes.

Perfect for children ages 4-8, this story offers an excellent opportunity for parents and educators to discuss topics such as facing fears, the importance of trust, and God’s unending love and pursuit of those who stray. The book is ideal for Sunday school, storytime, or as a comforting bedtime read. With its lovely illustrations and heartfelt message, Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for young readers. Highly recommended!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby is afraid of getting his wool sheared off, so he runs away from the farm. While Barnaby lives out in the wild, his wool gets longer and longer until he can barely see or move around. He gets homesick for his shepherds, and he misses their gentle care. The shepherds find Barnaby cowering in a cave and they take him home. Barnaby discovers that the shears don't hurt at all, and he feels so much lighter without all that wool weighing him down.

I love that this book includes Bible verses at the back and a little lesson about Jesus being our Good Shepherd. Even reading this as an adult, this story felt meaningful to me.

The illustrations are so cute! I love the adorable art style and the sweet characters. Barnaby's funny little face makes me chuckle. He's so cute! I love all the scenes of nature in the background as well.

This book was marked as "Nothing Found" on the Screen it First website, because there is no sensitive content in the book! https://screenitfirst.com/book/barnab...

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

BARNABY THE RUNAWAY sheep is a heartwarming retelling of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, beautifully blending faith and whimsy. In this tale, Barnaby lives a carefree life, surrounded by plentiful grass, playful companions, and kind shepherds. But when the time comes for his wool to be sheared, Barnaby grows anxious, escapes, and seeks refuge in a cave of his own. While initially relieved to avoid those snipping shears, he soon finds himself longing for the love and care of his shepherds. Just as in the Bible, his shepherds set out to find him, reminding readers that no one is ever truly lost.

The illustrations are as delightful as the story itself, brimming with warmth and charm. Rooted in faith, this book is a wonderful, gentle reminder for young children that Jesus will always seek us out, no matter where we wander. A must-have for Sunday School curriculums and perfect for cozy lap story times - BARNABY THE RUNAWAY SHEEP is a book that will be treasured by children and parents, alike. Highly recommend!

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐩 is a delightful children’s book that tells the story of an adorable sheep named Barnaby and the shepherd who loves him. The story beautifully conveys the message that the Good Shepherd (Jesus) loves us and is always with us. It’s a fun and meaningful story to share with my grandkids.

With simple narration, engaging sounds, and adorable illustrations, this runaway sheep story is entertaining. Barnaby learns that his shepherd never gives up on finding him.

This sweet retelling of the parable of the lost sheep is both meaningful and memorable, teaching young readers that, just like the tall shepherd on Barnaby’s farm, Jesus will always be there for us even when we feel sidetracked, scared, or lost. We only need to trust Him.

First Line: Life was good on the farm.
Genre: Children, Farm Animals
Author: Maria Antonia
Page Count: 32
Reading Age: 4-8

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% my own.

[Debra Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

BARNABY, THE RUNAWAY SHEEP: A Parable of the Lost Sheep by Maria Antonia and illustrated by Sayani Mukhergee, is a wonderful story for children to help them overcome their fears. Barnaby is a faithful sheep who loves the little shepherd and the big shepherd but is dreadfully afraid of shearing time. The snip, snip, snip of the clippers terrifies him so much that he does his best to avoid being sheared. He was so afraid that he ran away. Maria Antonia did a wonderful job with this parable of the lost sheep. I liked her backmatter where she discusses the Bible story of Jesus and the lost sheep. She also included a Did You Know? section and a Real-Life Connection section. All are a great teaching tool. The illustrations by Sayani Mukhergee are adorable. The colors are peaceful and serene. Both children and their parents will enjoy this book.

[Rosi Hollinbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the Sheep is afraid of one thing -- he is afraid to be sheared. The idea of having those sharp steel clippers cutting his wool away made him tremble with fear. Even though the two shepherds caring for Barnaby were kind, Barnaby couldn't overcome his fear. When it was time for shearing Barnaby used every trick he could think of to avoid it, but finally he ran away. Could the shepherds find their lost sheep? Could Barnaby get over his fear?

Author Maria Antonia has written a sweet retelling of the parable of the lost sheep from the book of Luke that also has themes of perseverance and courage for young listeners. The illustrations are a lovely completion to her text. Youngsters will love this book.

[Kris Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

BARNABY THE LOST SHEEP is written by Maria Antonia and is crafted around the Biblical story--the Parable of the Lost Sheep. This is a sweet story about a little sheep named Barnaby who loves his big shepherd and his little shepherd. But when it’s time for the sheep to be sheared, Barnaby is afraid of the big shears. Instead of listening to his shepherds, he runs away and hides. A story about running away, longing to return to the good shepherd, being found, and warmly welcomed back into the fold, with a little sheep shearing that’s not so scary after all. The adorable art by Sayani Mukherjee compliments this sweet story. Highly recommend.

[Joyce Uglow · Rating 5 out of 5]

BARNABY, THE RUNAWAY SHEEP: A Parable of the Lost Sheep by Maria Antonia, illustrated by Sayani Mukhergee, features an adorable little lamb, Barnaby who finds ways to avoid shearing time. In spite of loving the farm and always being first, Barnaby wanted no part of the scary clippers. Barnaby runs away and hides for weeks, growing hungrier and lonelier over time. Consequently, Barnaby's wool coat grew bigger and thicker, which can stand in for the feeling of a heavy heart. This book for young readers can lead to discussions about trust and facing fears.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This incredibly cute picture book retells the Bible story of the lost sheep. The illustrations are fantastic - I especially like the clever two-page ones - and the repeated onomatopoeic words are graphically emphasized in a fun way.

The retelling of the parable is cleverly done and it will delight any young person. Another great children's book by Maria Antonia, author of "The Christmas Elephant". Can you spy the elephant hidden in this one?

Highly recommended for Christian family story time!

[Zoraida Rivera Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby, the sheep, likes life in the farm, the tall shephard and the small one. But there's one thing Barnaby fears: shearing time. Barnaby is so afraid that one day decides to run away.

With spare text, a great use of verbs and precise sound words, María Antonia offers a fun and easy to read parable of the lost sheep. The illustrations add beauty to this picture book full of heart that portrays so well the love of God and how trust helps us grow in his love. A lovely book to share with young children anytime.

[Tamara Rittershaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby is fearing the shearing so he runs away. When he comes home in desperation, Barnaby realizes that all along he should have trusted the small shepherd and his dad the tall shepherd, and focused on their love and not the scary shearing scissors. The shepherds knew what was best for Barnaby and the shearing didn't hurt at all.

The text is lovely, lyrical and rhythmic, and the illustrations are adorable. We especially loved Barnaby's wiggle dance!

Highly recommended for Christian families with children ages 3 to 8.

[Ellen Kolman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this story points the reader to Jesus and the Bible! The story is sweet and charming with comical situations Barnaby gets himself into while trying to escape. I especially love how Barnaby knows his Shepherd's voice and wriggles with his happy dance! The illustrations are precious, and I believe every child will relate to Barnaby' s fear. The bonus real life information is great! Families can even use this book for family devotions. A must buy!

[Eleanor Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this delightful book. It tells the story of Barnaby, a sheep who runs away for fear of being sheared. Along the way, he discovers how much he misses his home and shepherds, highlighting beautiful themes of friendship, family, and overcoming fear. The story is complemented by thoughtful backmatter, making it an excellent choice for Bible study or family discussions. A heartwarming tale with a meaningful message!

[Christine Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby won me over from the first page with his happy exuberance and his true-to-life worries. This was a charming, beautifully written children's story about facing fears and second chances.
As with the author's previous book, The Christmas Elephant, I enjoyed the thoughtful connections to scripture, discussion questions perfect for little readers...and of course, the real-life connection (Go, Shrek!)

[Susan]

Sweet Barnaby decides to take matters into his own hands when he hears the dreaded sound of the shears. Just like lots of kids, he decides to hide when his fears become too much. This story has a delightful main character, is fun to read, and has a perfect ending for the little lost sheep. A great choice for school groups, church groups, or anyone with children who need reassurance that a haircut isn't as bad as they might imagine!

[Dara Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the Sheep is an adorable book about a little lamb who is afraid to be sheared. He runs away and hides, missing his old life and the shepherds who take care of him. The text is sweet and engaging and the pictures are cute, perfect for little ones. In the end, Barnaby has to overcome his fear of being sheared. The backmatter includes facts about shearing sheep, which would be great for discussions with young readers.

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

BARNABY THE RUNAWAY SHEEP is about a sweet sheep who is worried about being sheared, so runs away from the farm. But he comes to miss his shepherds, who eventually find him and take him home. This is a kid-friendly way to introduce a Bible message and is relevant for all young readers who have ever felt afraid or lost. The story emphasizes the importance of love, family, and home. The illustrations are delightful with many bright outdoor scenes. A lovely addition to any child’s bookshelf!

[Aileen Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book for my unbiased opinion, and just like Maria Antonia's first book, The Christmas Elephant, this book is beautifully illustrated and a joy to read. The Biblical analogy of shepherds caring for the sheep is clear as is the message that the Good Shepherd wants what's best for us, and we have nothing to fear by trusting him. Barnaby is a delightful MC that children are sure to love and identify with.

[Sandy Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the Runaway Sheep shows us another perspective for the classic Bible story of the lost sheep. What was the sheep feeling? Why did he get lost? Did he run away? I think most of us will be able to relate to Barnaby in this charming, delightful story. And once again there's great comfort in the conclusion!

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun read-aloud with the sounds like "scritch scratch" and "ooooo-yeeee!" Barnaby is a likable character that kids can relate to since getting a haircat can be scary but, as Barnaby learns, sometimes you have to face your fears.

Information in the back includes like sheep can't be shorn when wet and also how this story connects with one in the bible.

[Marla Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby gets scared just the way we all do of things beyond our control. But he has to learn to trust the shepherd or he will be in even more trouble than he was in the beginning. We can all learn from Barnaby...even when things are scary the good shepherd is there to guide us and knows and provides for all our needs.

[Shannon Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about a sheep afraid to be sheared is a great mentor text for kids who are afraid of an upcoming event, dentist appointment, or even haircut! The sweet illustrations add to the charm of Barnaby and he learns to trust his keepers. There is backmatter that adds to the reading of the book and its ties to Jesus as a shepherd.

[Amy Houts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. He doesn’t want his wool sheared so he runs away to hide in a cave. A good book for kids who don’t like haircuts. A great book for kids who need to know The Good Shepherd, Jesus, loves them. Based on a true story of a runaway sheep and on the Bible story parable of a shepherd who looks for his lost sheep. This fun, sweet retelling is sure to bring smiles.

[Chelsea DiCicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is such a sweet, gentle story about returning home. I loved the parable of the lost sheep and the scripture in Proverbs at the end of the book (it's one of my favorites- Proverbs.3:5). Barnaby was an endearing character, and this was such a lovely story for littles to learn about putting faith in those who love us.

[Kim Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a sweet tale about overcoming fear, returning home, and appreciating what you have. Maria Antonia's use of onomatopoeia and adorable repeated phrases make this a picture book kids will want to read again and again. The parable of the lost sheep is refreshingly told in a way young children will understand and love! The real-world tie-in is a wonderful bonus at the end.

[Ian Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby the sheep is hiding to avoid the shepherd's clippers. This playful story teaches children about more than a pesky haircut. Readers will play along with Barnaby on his journey, and be delighted by a reunion with the shepherd and other sheep in his flock. This is a parable for so many of us.