After frolicking through seven books (beginning with Sheep in a Jeep, rev. 11/86), these five iconic sheep are just plain tuckered out. No surprise that its time for bed. But complications arise: Screeches! Rustling! Noisy crickets! / Sheep hear hoots from nearby thickets. // Nighttime noises scare the sheep. / Really, who could go to sleep? Enter a trusty border collie who settles the sheep down one by one, nicely integrating core concepts such as counting, addition, and subtraction. Apples soft colored-pencil illustrations set a peaceful pastoral scene, while the soothing assonant sounds of the text ask young listeners to, well, begin counting their own sheep. A clever ending gives a (quiet) shout-out to Mother Goose. betty carter (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Count the sheep as they fall asleep.It's bedtime, but this familiar flock of sheep (Sheep in a Jeep, 1986, etc.) is not quite ready to take a snooze. Sweet, lilting rhymes and charming colored-pencil illustrations hit all of the right notes and blend together flawlessly as a friendly border collie tries his best to shepherd his wooly charges off to sleep. Armed with patience, a hug, a drink, a song, a teddy bear, and a quilt, he just might manage. Young listeners will relish the pictures' gentle humor, spot the details in the illustrations (including the bird who appears throughout the tale), and appreciate the calming effect of the hypnotic text as they are lulled off to sleep, practicing their counting as each sheep begins to doze in turn. The collie's responses are full of kindness and encouragement, providing toddlers with just the right amount of soothing warmth as they drift off. "But where is the dog who looks after the sheep? / He's under the haystack, fast asleep." The combination of formula and subject is such a natural it's a wonder Shaw and Apple waited this long to put them together.A beguiling bedtime book and a nice choice for just before nap time. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In the eighth volume of Shaw and Apple's Sheep series, five tired sheep amble back to their shed to sleep. After noises spook them and keep them awake, a collie comes by and helps settle them down for the night: the first with a hug, the second with a drink of water, the third with a lullaby, the fourth with a teddy bear, and the fifth with a quilt. One by one, they drift off to sleep. The text ends with a literary reference that will reward kids who are familiar with Mother Goose rhymes. Written in satisfying rhymed verse, the narrative includes several math challenges for those who want to play along (Another sheep begins to snore. / Three asleep! How many more?). The endearing colored-pencil illustrations portray the animals' emotions with clarity and wit. Besides offering a low-key introduction to counting and subtraction, this amiable picture book is just right for bedtime reading.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist

PreS-Gr 1-Shaw's eighth installment in her beloved "Sheep" series (Houghton Harcourt) is as lifting and soothing as the first. Rhyming text softly rocks readers alongside a patient border collie who puts five sheep to sleep by fulfilling their bedtime wishes. These requests range from a hug, a drink, a cozy quilt, and a teddy bear. The story is illustrated with Apple's signature colored-pencil drawings; they are sweet and soft, just right for bedtime. VERDICT This book will be a favorite for any reluctant sleepyheads.-Melisa Bailey, Harford County Library System, MD (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.