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!

The Spillers have moved into a run-down farm outside of town and are looking for a way to turn it into a working farm--a semingly impossible task. When Mandy and James offer to help out with the lambing, they don't know what they're getting themselves into! On the hill, Mandy witnesses a newborn lamb being abandoned by its mother. As always, Mandy is determined to help the little animal. But a newborn lamb needs a lot of care--and the Spillers don't have any spare time for nursing lambs. But Mandy's not giving up. Still, as soon as she seems to have found a home for the lamb he disappears! Then little Jenny Spiller is badly injusred when an abandoned shed collapses on her, and has to be rushed to the hospital. Everyone is so glad Jenny is going to recover. But something is terribly wrong with Jenny. Until Jenny reveals a secret of her own... Now Mandy has to save the lamb...and the hospital! (The cottage hospital is going to be closed down soon--but not if Mandy's Grandma has anything to say about it! But, despite all her and Mandy's campaigning, it's not looking good for the old hospital.)

The Spillers have moved into a run-down farm outside of town and are looking for a way to turn it into a working farm--a seemingly impossible task. When Mandy and James offer to help out with the lambing, they don't know what they're getting themselves into! On the hill, Mandy witnesses a newborn lamb being abandoned by its mother. As always, Mandy is determined to help the little animal. But a newborn lamb needs a lot of care--and the Spillers don't have any spare time for nursing lambs. But Mandy's not giving up. Still, as soon as she seems to have found a home for the lamb he disappears! Then little Jenny Spiller is badly injusred when an abandoned shed collapses on her, and has to be rushed to the hospital. Everyone is so glad Jenny is going to recover. But something is terribly wrong with Jenny. Until Jenny reveals a secret of her own... Now Mandy has to save the lamb...and the hospital! (The cottage hospital is going to be closed down soon--but not if Mandy's Grandma has anything to say about it! But, despite all her and Mandy's campaigning, it's not looking good for the old hospital.)
There are so many subplots in this book!!!

Mandy and James meet a little girl named Jenny who has become friends with an abandoned black lamb. Then Jenny does the unspeakable and gets trapped in an abandoned shed. Will the sheep be able to get help before it's too late for Jenny?