Don't Worry, Wuddles

by Lita Judge

In this snowy day picture book, a kindhearted but overeager duckling tries to be helpful by sharing Wuddles the sheep’s wool to make sure all their animal friends stay warm—but will there be enough for Wuddles?

Snow is coming, and the barnyard animals are preparing for the cold. Duckling has an excellent idea! Fleecy Wuddles the sheep has plenty of wool to keep everyone nice and toasty. Surely Wuddles doesn’t mind sharing? Soon there’s a goat in legwarmers, piglets in onesies, and more! But will this outpouring of generosity leave Wuddles himself out in the cold? Not to worry—Duckling has one final, absolutely heartwarming idea!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Friendship

Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable book about a little dude that is very enthusiastic about helping others. I have been compared to this little dude. That is not entirely inaccurate.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are adorable, the story is just meh. Lots of issues of consent and obliviousness...

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in a fantasy barnyard, an over-enthusiastic duckling "volunteers" Wuddles the sheep to outfit all of the other animals in wool accessories. The duckling must be taking cues from the human world, however, as he never bothers to find out if this is OK with Wuddles and ends up stripping away so much of the sheep's wool he ends up bald and cold! Now it's up to to the greedy crew to come up with a solution.

The illustrations are cute, and it's always nice to see farm animals depicted in a sympathetic light, but the message about taking from others without their permission isn't the most friendly one, and the conclusion may be seen as a bit "too little, too late."

[skcocnaH · Rating 1 out of 5]

Firstly, the duck wasn’t asking consent for Wuddles’ wool. But, my main problem is after Wuddles has been completely stripped of his/her warmth, the barn animals go in for a group hug. What if Wuddles didn’t want to be hugged? AND if Wuddles does want to be hugged, it’s not going to last the whole winter. Wuddles was wronged.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lita Judge has an excellent talent for depicting all various species of animals in nonfiction titles and in fanciful stories. Here is Wuddles the lamb being the source of warmth for his other animal friends. But it’s Wuddles pesky friend, the duck, who is the ringleader of taking Wuddles wool to make into warm animal clothing. It is unique that all of the items “made”. are items from wool. The young will love the illustrations. You may mention at the beginning that sheep are sheared in the spring.

[Nicole Darrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sure, you can read this book as wrong because the duck doesn’t ask before taking the sheep’s wool… You can also see it as a sheep that badly needs to be sheared and a duck relieving it of the knotted wool… overall… I don’t think a kid cares too much and one picture book shouldn’t be the one way you teach a message to a kid. Maybe have a conversation about what the duck could have done better.

Adorable illustrations, cute story. Short enough for a preschool story time.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very adorable illustrations and silly concept (an obnoxious duckling keeps volunteering Wuddles' wool to other animals who are cold for winter until Wuddles has no wool left to even keep himself warm). While it was funny it irritated me that the duck just keeps taking and taking from the sheep, and then expects it make it all up with a quick hug at the end. They better all pitch in and get that sheep a high-quality blanket!!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lita Judge writes beautiful books, many of which are non-fiction. This one is a fiction story about a sheep that just keeps giving and giving in preparation for winter. My class really enjoyed the repetetive nature of the story.

I couldn't help notice that sadly, in the end, the sheep is, ironically, left cold because she's given so much to others...luckily, all the animals give her a group hug.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dominating duck takes advantage of a submissive sheep, shearing the ram (without his permission) to make warm clothing for all the barnyard animals and leaving him to shiver in the cold for the rest of the winter. Adorable illustrations of the animals make the sheep’s exploitation seem acceptable as personal sacrifices for the greater good of the group. Looks like Wuddles has at least eleven reasons to worry.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Duckling is worried about all the animals getting cold in the barn. Fortunately, he has a solution. Using Wuddles’ furry full coat soon the animals have scarves, leg warmers and hats…but he’s forgotten about poor Wuddles. This is such a cute farm animal story. Perfect for reading aloud with quick text and Lita Judge’s darling and expressive artwork.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wuddles the sheep is asleep in the barn when duck announces that snow and cold is coming and he needs a scarf. The rest of the barnyard critters are going to get cold also… attentive readers will see what animal will receive a woolly gift next. Predictable but fun ending. Can think of a few activities I would do with this book for a wintertime or farm animal unit. Love Lita Judge drawings!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 1 out of 5]

A silly duckling "borrows" wool from Wuddles fluffy coat for all the other farm animals. More terrifying than funny as Wuddles doesn't seem to give consent. Not cool.

Themes: sheep, humor
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2023

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kindhearted but overeager duckling tries to be helpful by sharing Wuddles the sheep’s wool to make sure all their barnyard animal friends stay warm, but will there be enough left for Wuddles to stay warm?

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

The art is cute, but we don't take/touch people without their permission - especially hair, or in this case wool. What a snotty little duck. "Group hug" PASS.

And yes I know we shear sheep, this wasn't that though - exactly.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a cute book about a very caring duck who gets a little carried away trying to keep all the other animals warm, to the detriment of the poor sheep, but the duck tries to solve that problem as well.

[Kelly]

I really liked the ending. I was afraid it was going to end in a way like, oops, too bad for you, but it was sweet.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly fun with friends and the expressions on the sheep's face are a delight

[Annese · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going the route of body autonomy and consent. It does not. Missed opportunity.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE Lita's art! I can just look at her illustrations all day. This is a sweet and silly book filled with heart and caring.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and wintery and the illustrations of animals are really nice. The text is a little hard to follow, but it's still a fun farm picture book.

[Marni]

Delightful illustrations, fun story about helping each other out.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the duck was unlikeable, but my cat was riveted by the whole thing.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The duckling should be the one worried (of Wuddles's revenge).

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a cute book!!!! Illustrations and text go together perfectly. Love it!

[Nitza Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lita Judge can do no wrong! I need that little duck in my life!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, adorable story about a little duck that wants to make sure everyone is warm in the cold winter. He does this by “borrowing” wool from the sheep. He borrows for many animals and what do you think happens to the sheep? lol Too cute - and teaches about sharing and caring for friends too.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Group hugs, the perfect problem solver. :)

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

😂♥️

[XZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wuddles should 100% worry about the duck trying to strip their wool off without actually asking for permission >=|

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a sheep's wool being shared by a duck with all the farm animals to keep them all warm in winter. But Wuddles shared too much.