Nattie Parsons' Good Luck Lamb

When hard times beset Nattie's grandfather's farm, he decides they must sell some of their sheep, keeping only those whose wool is best. Clover, Nattie's special ""good-luck'' lamb, has the worst coat of alldry, wiry and hitherto never shorn. To save him, Nattie determines to shear him and weave a shawl, somehow, from his wool. Clover unwittingly cooperates by getting into the raspberry patch, and the pink shawl that results brings a fine price, enough to save the farm. The tale of friendship that Campbell has spun is pleasing, if a bit forced. Her illustrations, which draw heavily on the natural tones appropriate to a farm, are winsome and full of affection. On each spread, the text and one or more visual close-ups are encased in borders of varying sizes and shapes, and are laid over the main illustration (and often over one another as well). This unusual design is often vivid and striking; on some pages, however, it becomes overly busy. Ages 3-8. (March)