Small Readers: Sea Sheep by Eric Seltzer, illustrated by Tom Disbury

Another goofy easy reader from Seltzer takes a new group of farm animals on another trip - this time under the sea. This group of fluffy sheep, in brisk, bouncing rhythm, spend all day under the water. They encounter a space cow from a previous story, in a black and white spotted submarine, and plenty of undersea creatures.

After a long day of treasure-hunting, diving, reading, and playing, they climb out onto the beach, dry themselves in the sun, and sit together watching the sun set, happy and tired sea sheep.

Disbury's illustrations are a nice fit for Seltzer's light and humorous rhymes. He shows sheep with lots of curly, bulging wool falling afoul of octopuses, snorkeling, running into fish, and bobbing about in the water.

Verdict: This is a nice, easy, beginning level title. It's a step up from a pre-reader, but fits readers who are focusing on Biscuit and Elephant and Piggie. While not wildly popular - I might have a few kids asking for "the funny animals" - this is still an excellent title. It doesn't have the name recognition of Fly Guy or Elephant and Piggie, but kids at this stage of reading need a lot of simple but enjoyable texts and this fits the bill. A strong addition to your easy reader collection or classroom library.

ISBN: 9781534461345; Published January 2020 by Simon Spotlight; Purchased for the library