This version of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' is carefully and thoughtfully photo-illustrated by Bruce McMillan. The book's self-proclaimed purpose is to interpret 'a traditional verse in a contemporary manner'. McMillan therefore uses as his model for Mary an African-American first-grader whose loving lamb follows her to school. Special techniques were used to allow her glasses to be included in the illustrations, a rare depiction in children's books. The setting is much more traditional, including a schoolhouse with a bell and a Border Chaviot lamb who is captured well by McMillan's lens. A note at the end of the book gives a history of the poem, its original form, and it's use in early reading textbooks. McMillan uses colour and contrasts to draw the reader's eye. All in all, children should readily identify with this modern update, and it would be very useful when putting together a multicultural collection. Furthermore, the version I have is 9 by 10 inches, a good size for those sharing stories with several children at once. This could be a very special book for a child, for a storytime, or for a library collection.

Our daughter keeps asking to read this classic poem/song again and again. Mayor's illustrations are a masterpiece of three-dimensional textile work, combining many different techniques. She has also captured many historical details of the era in which the poem was originally written. The result adds depth and detail to a simple story, which makes it a pleasure to read again and again.

Mavor is a genius in using scraps of whatever to create a textural world that is as comfortable as this classic story poem. Look at each page, and look again, there seems no end to details that embellish these sewn illustrations. Yummies for your eye, and if only we could touch!