Woolbur

The story of this book was exactly as I expected, would have been perfect to use in my classroom. The book had water damage and every page had mold on it. If I could return it I would.

Woolbur is a wonderful children's book that shows it's not only ok to be different, but it sure is a lot of fun. Knitters and spinners alike will enjoy sharing this story with their children and grandchildren.

Woolbur was a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow...until, of course, he decided to dye himself a bright, snappy blue: "You look unbelievable!" said Paa. "I know," said Woolbur. "Isn't it great?" "It will never wash out!" said Maa. "I know, " said Woolbur. "Isn't it great?" Whether he's carding, spinning, or weaving, Woolbur's uncoventional approach to wool causes his nervous parents to pull their own wool at night, waiting for the day when Woolbur will finally follow the flock. "It's what we sheep do," say Maa and Paa, begging him to change his ways. But Woolbur's spirited individuality can't be sheared, and before long he has the rest of the flock following him. Woolbur is the perfect yarn to share with kids who dare to be different, as well as those who need a nudge to let their own light shine. Go Woolbur!

Woolbur is a celebration of individuality, great for all ages, but my first-grader is especially enjoying Lee Harper's charming, detailed illustrations. Leslie Helakowsi and Harper have done a lovely job marrying words to images, and Woolbur's yogic Grandpaa is memorable, wise, and kind. While Woolbur's parents become anxious each night about his unwillingness to stick with the herd, Grandpaa calmly chants "Don't worry." I love the little details, like along with with an airplane and other toys littering Woolbur's bedroom floor is a book, "Zen Knitting." Woolbur gleefullyWoolbur dyes himself blue and gets into all kinds of un-sheep-like adventures, and the conclusion brings a message all kids and adults need to hear.

This is a really sweet book and a story everyone can relate to. When Woolbur's parents tell him he needs to change his ways and he thinks and thinks and thinks about it - and then decides to bring everyone into HIS world, it is such a great moment, you want to cheer "good for you". We've all been there. It's not easy to find the courage to embrace who we are. A nice subtle lesson for kids and grown up alike! And really beautiful, engaging illustrations. Woolbur is pretty darn cute!

When you grow up as the daughter of a fiber artist (spinning, knitting, weaving, etc.) there are certain things you learn about wool. You know how the tiny fibers hook into one another, making them easy to spin. You know the difference between a gossip wheel and a walking wheel. And when your mother also works in a small bookstore you learn which children's illustrators also know their wool. Jan Brett probably does, due to the fact that you can make out every tiny stitch on the sweaters she draws. Almost every person who has ever illustrated the story of Sleeping Beauty does NOT understand (wool on a distaff? SERIOUSLY, people!). Paul O. Zelinsky does understand (notice that in his version of Rumpelstiltskin the bobbins on the spinning wheel fill with gold thread). And now we have illustrator Lee Harper. Lee Harper is the kind of artist who goes the extra mile. A guy who'll learn about wool, study it, subscribe to "Fiber Arts Magazine", (this is true) and then lovingly illustrate a picture book like "Woolbur" to the best of his abilities. Ostensibly the story of a little sheep that is a "free spirit" (their words, not mine) the book is an extremely palatable tale of sheep, wool, and finding a way to follow the rules without compromising your beliefs. It also stays true to the nature of wool. Pretty complex stuff for a book that's only 32 pages long. Basically, Maa and Paa would have preferred a conformist. What they got instead was Woolbur. Woolbur is a sheep that has his own way of doing things. While all the others card the wool set before them, Woolbur cards the wool that's still on his body. If others are spinning wool in front of a spinning wheel, he's riding it. If they're shorn, he's wooly and free. And every time his parents point out that he's not doing what everyone else is, his reaction is, "I know! Isn't that great?" Grandpaa says not to worry but finally, unable to take any more, Woolbur is told that he must herd, shear, card, spin, dye, and weave like everybody else. He ponders the situation. And so, the next morning, EVERYBODY is following Woolbur's lead by carding their own wool, running with the dogs, spinning crazy wool, and so on. And how will they find their son now that everyone is doing the same things that he is? As he sits on a mat trying out new forms of knitting, Grandpaa is quick to repeat once and for all, "Don't worry." I'm going to be the first person to say that if I pick up the book and the bookflap reads, "If you are a free spirit, this book is for you!" I need to surpress my gag reflex. The term "free spirit" actually, physically, causes my skin to crawl. Small children that run around the library tearing the pages one by one out of picture books as their parents look on with bemused expressions on their faces... THOSE children are called "free spirits". Basically any kid who isn't reprimanded for doing something naughty gets the label of "free spirit" and then some poor elementa