We Adopted a Baby Lamb

by Lori Joy Smith

An adorable and rascally lamb is the latest addition to the family in this sweet picture book based on a true story. An irresistible and unique twist on the pet story and for fans of cute baby animals.

Ila is excited about her family's move to the country -- mostly because it means she can have more pets! But no one expected their next addition to be a lamb. When Albert first comes home, he sleeps a lot, he eats a lot . . . and he pees on the floor A LOT. Ila and her sister and parents quickly learn how to care for a baby sheep -- they must feed him and protect him. It's not easy because Albert gets into everything! He eats the tulips from the flower bed, chews on car bumpers, chases the dog (and hides from the cats). Ila and her family does everything to make Albert happy and healthy, but she can't help feeling like her little lamb might be missing something from his life. Maybe he needs a friend? But Ila soon realizes that she doesn't need to look for a friend for Albert -- he already has his flock.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Nonfiction, Animals, Contemporary

48 pages, Hardcover

Published February 2, 2021

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5. I like the originality of it. Having yellow pages is no big deal but it was a nice chance. I also enjoy the way it tells its story, it was light, happy, simple but good. Finally, I like the small «coaching» about owning an animal. Not much, but everything done properly made this book worth it.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids are now asking to adopt a baby lamb. Not happening, but sweet story.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5 stars.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ila and her family move to the country. The move means her parents can have more space and a simpler life and she can have more pets. Hurray!

They discover a two-week-old lamb has been orphaned and needs a forever home. Her parents agree with adopting him and the name Albert is assigned to the little guy.

Albert is so minute that the family decides to place him in a dog crate in the kitchen because he is too little to live outside in the cold barn. Everyone learns how to properly care for Albert and they also find out that he is a little rascal. He is smart and curious and full of life. Good job he is cute! It takes patience and love to train the lamb to assimilate into the home.

I love the artwork. It is bright, colourful and simple which fits the narrative perfectly. Because this tale is actually true the author has included some fun pictures of the real Albert at the end of story for kids to enjoy. I highly recommend this book.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ila and her family move to the country they end up adopting a baby lamb. Albert the lamb is so tiny when he comes to live with them that he is smaller than their cats and has to live in a dog kennel in the kitchen. The whole family LOVES Albert (even Ila's grumpy older sister). He's messy and gets into all kinds of mischief, but as they learn more about lambs/sheep the family gets better at keeping him safe and happy (and out of trouble). Cute illustrations on bright yellow backgrounds make this sweet story particularly cheerful.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family adopts an orphaned lamb and finds out that beside being cute, the lamb is a lot of work!
Based on a true story from the author's life. Actual photographs of the lamb are included in the back matter. I wished the rest of the illustrations had been photos instead of cartoonish drawings.
A good story for springtime, and a tie-in for preschoolers learning about and visiting farms.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! The art style is perfect for the story, and it seems like the perfect bedtime story book for kids. Definitely going to pick it up for my niece and nephew when it comes out.

e-ARC provided through NetGalley by the publisher - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from Lori Joy Smith and Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a cute story about getting a baby lamb and the adventures of raising a sheep. I love the pictures of Albert the lamb at the end. The illustrations were bright and colourful and simplistic.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhhh. A family new to country life adopts a baby lamb and learns the growing pains of family and pets. The story is simple, but understandable. The illustrations are the perfect form of basic. All together it makes for a sweet and endearing read.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

With fun and bright illustrations we follow Ila as her family moves to the country and adopts a new and special pet. They name him Albert and look after his every need, from potty training to special cuddles.

[Elizabeth]

The illustrations are so cute!

[Abby Johnson]

Pretty cute. The cover's the cutest part, which is just to say that the insides are pretty cute, but the cover alone will make this circ.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story.

[Margaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

One family's true to life story about adopting a real baby lamb. My favorite was when the author said "they are known to be rascals." What a fun word that's never really used.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Albert and I am jealous and I want to move to the country and get a baby goat. A great addition to list of books about pets for curious kids.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great description for young readers of how it is to adopt an unusual animal and learn to care for it.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. First it was yellow (my least favorite color) but it made me smile and I almost... ALMOST want a lamb.

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the author's own story (she is the mom pictured in the book), we get to meet Albert, an adorable and sometimes frustrating orphaned lamb. The story is told by Ila, Smith's daughter, and gives an overview of how her family adopted a baby lamb and learned to care for it. We follow Albert's antics, from wiggling out of his diapers and peeing on the floor (a LOT), to diving headfirst into the trash can, to eating mom's tulips, and more. The illustrations are adorable, and at the back of the book, we see photos of the real Albert, who is also adorable. A fun way to introduce kids to the realities and responsibilities of raising a farm animal.

#NetGalley