Sheepology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia

Gr 1-4–The creators of Chickenology and Pigology return with a well-organized, attractive compendium about another domesticated species: the sheep, an animal that has provided humans with food, warmth, and a source of wealth for thousands of years. The book covers the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of sheep, as well as their importance to humans over time and across the globe. It is the diversity of details that makes this account so fascinating: Who knew that the first time cheese (made from sheep milk) was mentioned in literature was in Homer’s The Odyssey? Or that a sheep can remember up to 50 human faces? Readers will learn the source of familiar phrases such as “counting sheep,” discover examples of sheep in mythology and folklore, find out how to make felt (instructions included), and much more. Each inviting spread contains a series of facts accompanied by entertaining comic-style illustrations. Text features, such as arrows, charts, and labels, provide visual aids to help readers navigate the rich content. Focusing on breadth over depth, the information is generally presented in a clear, concise manner, although the illustration of Dolly, the cloned sheep, in a bubbling tank needs more explanation.