The story is not really there but I love the SheepOver idea. The visual presentation (photography digitally brushed into illustration) is different and arresting but a little hard on the eyes in places. I'll be interested to see if there are future books. ( )

I really liked this book because I thought it was so sweet how all of the animals cared so much about the sick sheep. In the book, the orphan sheep named Sweet Pea is sick. The farm dog goes to alert the farmer and all of the other farm animals are very worried about Sweet Pea. The farmer calls the vet who determines that Sweet Pea has an injured leg and fever. Sweet Pea has to stay in a special barn while she recovers, but when she returns the farmer plans a big sleepover for her with all of the other animals. When Sweet Pea is well enough, all of the animals are so excited and spread the word around very quickly that she's back. At the sleepover there are special snacks, dancing with a disco ball, dress up costumes, and the farmer reads all of the animals a bedtime story. The main idea of this story is to care for your loved ones who are sick. When the animals first noticed that Sweet Pea was not feeling well they did everything they could to get the farmer, and then when she was feeling better, they made sure to welcome her back. I really liked the illustrations in this book because they were photographs of actual animals and people but there were also drawings over top of the photos. I also really liked how descriptive the writing was. When the story is talking about the fox going to inform the sheep dog of Sweet Pea's illness it says, "Wild Red Fox moved swiftly past on silent, snowy paws." I loved the way his movements were described and I could actually see a fox quickly but quietly move across the snow. ( )

I have always been a fan of books about sheep. We raised sheep while I was growing up and my very first pet was Lambie, a sheep that was raised on our farm for many years. Sheep are special to our family and when I saw this book, I knew I had to get it for my niece. I think this will be part of her birthday gift next month.

Sweet Pea is one of the many sheep on the Churchman's farm. One night, Sweet Pea gets very sick and they have to call in Vet Alison. All of the friends on the farm are deeply worried about Sweet Pea and share their concern on the pages. Keeper the goose, Prem the goat, and Laddie the dog are just some of the farm friends watching over Sweet Pea. Farmer John promises a SheepOver in the greenhouse if Sweet Pea gets better and that is just what Sweet Pea and her friends get.

The illustrations are actual photos from the Churchman farm yet have digital artwork mixed with it. It gives the photos that creative brilliance that will give children the magic of what happens between the animals on the farm.

I love how all the animals on the farm are like family and rally around their friend Sweet Pea when she is sick. Then celebrate together when she is healthy. What a wonderful lesson to teach children about loving and caring for their friends. ( )