The SheepOver

Originally self-published and based on animals who live on the Churchmans' Vermont farm, this story opens "way past bedtime" on an icy winter night with Laddie the sheep dog discovering that Sweet Pea the lamb is very sick. The entire farm springs into action; Alison the vet is consulted, and soon Sweet Pea is recovered and ready to celebrate with the party described in the title, complete with leis to wear, yummy snacks, dancing under a disco ball, and a favorite bedtime story. John Churchman's photo-illustrations are gauzy and multi-layered, an impressionistic approach that works well when portraying the late-night emergency or the farm's inhabitants. The pictures feel fussed over and unfocused during the party scenes%E2%80%94there's nothing wild or woolly about the festivities, and the partygoers look sphinxlike and bored%E2%80%94yet the storytelling works. With characters delineated almost solely in terms of their actions (only Laddie emerges as a genuine personality) and a serene, unadorned narrative voice, the Churchmans capture something that feels like a modern-day fairy tale. Ages 3%E2%80%936. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Dec.)