The Little Lamb

by Judy Dunn, Phoebe Dunn (Photographer)

A little girl takes care of a little lamb until it is big enough to return to the flock.  

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Judy Dunn is the author of many books for young children. Some of her most popular titles are projects she worked on with her mother, acclaimed photographer Phoebe Dunn. Those works include The Little Rabbit, The Little Duck, The Little Puppy, The Little Kitten, and many more.

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple yet heartwarming book to read with a young child. We will keep this on our shelf, and when L learns to read, he might like to read this himself.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful photos illustrate this book about a lamb who becomes a pet and companion to a little girl.

What's good about it: Unlike many children's books about farm animals, there's nary a mention of wool coats or mutton dinners. A farmed animal is presented as an individual, rather than simply a source of food or fiber. The bond between the child and her pet is touching.

What's not so good: When the lamb grows larger and starts becoming more troublesome, the girl returns him to the farm. It wouldn't be inconceivable for youngsters to deduce from this that it's ok to get rid of pets who misbehave. Also, "Timothy" is released back to the farm, where it is presumed he and the other sheep are being "farmed" for a reason--one that may ultimately end in his demise.

[Brigid Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book although has to be slightly modified to make it sound vegan. Realistic pictures of a blonde, pigtailed little girl raising a lamb until the humans lazily tie him to a lightweight picnic table, rather than say a tree or fence like you would a large dog. Blaming the sheep for their incompetence, they decide he’s too much trouble and return it to the farm for it to continue to grow so much wool it gets open sores.

Before this though, it was nice to watch the girl care, play with, and cuddle the motherless lamb.

Plus ten points for a stellar 1970s children’s prairie party dress that conveniently looks like it would be on sale today.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes:
real animals and kids in gorgeous photos
perfect for preschool age 3-4
love all these Dunn books

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!! It's so cute to see the pictures of Timothy the lamb and him getting into trouble. He's really adorable. And this has always been one of my favorite kid books!

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Random House PICTUREBACK. Copyright 1977. There are photographs instead of illustrations.

The adventures of a lamb named Timothy, raised by a little girl named Emmy. He gets into trouble regularly.
Not a big favorite with my kids. It's a little dull & wordy. Kids under 5 might not want to sit still for it.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl named Emmy raises a baby lamb named Timothy until he's too big to keep as a pet. I read this over and over as a child. I'm so glad my library still has it!

Good for preschool storytimes.

[Hannah Feeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Lamb was one of my favorite childhood books! The story is about a little girl who raises a lamb until he is big enough to return to the flock. It's an adorable story about the fun they have and the trouble the lamb gets into. My favorite part of the book is the pictures.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with Lucy.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. It made me want sheep, something I still want to this day.

[Mary Peble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome and entertaining. Sweet story.

[Hyacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable little book shows a child basic care instructions of caring for a lamb. Emmy fell in love with the lamb she named Timothy. What she should have been reminded was at a certain time, he would have to be returned back to the farm because it would be difficult to keep him as a pet. When he "ruined" the party which in my opnion was the father's fault for allowing her to take him to the party without instructions on tying him up separate from the food, the punishment to her was he had to go? That was cruel! The book made it seem that she was okay with him leaving which I highly doubt. I think my grandson will like it though because he's only 2.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the Treasury of Little Animals (Random House). The picture books in this series are about newborn animals that become beloved pets. Readers learn how to care for these pets, and what happens when they're no longer little baby animals.
With full-color photographs by the photographer Phoebe Dunn.
The books in tis series are: The Little Puppy, The Little Kitten, The Little Lamb, The Little Duck, The Little Pig, and The Little Rabbit.
Age Range: 3 - 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 2
Lexile Measure: AD700L (Adult directed, You read with your child, grandchild, little one! It is fun!)

[Amanda M. Lyons · Rating 1 out of 5]

The pictures are nice but all of these books are monotonous and essentially the same tired concept about children having pets. while there are variations in each story there's really nothing all that impressive about any of them. Even the cute pictures get monotonous!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

books don't get better than this!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I want to hug Little Lamb. So soft and cuddly.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic. I remember my mom reading it to me. Nakyla loves when I read this book. I particularly like that this book is all in photographs. The story is really sweet, too.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, this was a favorite book. I still love it! Great photos, great story.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with beautiful pictures showing Emmy's adventures with her little lamb before having to return her back to the farm.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my lord this book is precious. The photos are amazing, SO adorable and perfect. The story is simple and there's no DRAMA. It's not fear or moral based, it's just a pleasant little story.

[Erroll Treslan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this to our kids a hundred times and it never gets old.

[Hillvan]

AD700L

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great simple story and you still love Timothy, even though he almosts ruins a birthday party!

[Angie Barthel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Timothy Lamb - that crazy kid should never have attached you to a table leg...

[Emily]

I loved this book when I was young too.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up, I had two of Judy Dunn's animal books and my mom found this one for my daughters. She tells nonfiction animal stories with lots of photographs.

This story is about Emmy who adopts a lamb named Timothy. Timothy is a twin and the ewe cannot feed both lambs so Emmy feeds him instead and keeps him as a pet.