Tom Nancy: The Sheep Who Swapped Brains with a Boy

by Mac Barnett, X. Fang (Illustrator)

From two of the most acclaimed and beloved picture book makers today, Mac Barnett and X. Fang, comes a hilarious trickster tale like no other. A sneaky sheep has a proposal for an innocent boy that will change both of their lives a brain swap!

Farmer's son Felix knows that Tom Nancy is a clever little sheep. Still, Felix is surprised to learn that not only can this sheep talk, he also has a marvelous machine stowed away in the barn that will allow them to switch brains for the day. Felix agrees to Tom Nancy’s idea of a swap, and it works! Felix finds that life in the pasture as a sheep is interesting. But Tom Nancy discovers that being a boy who wrestles and eats sandwiches is simply stupendous! So when Felix tells him he’s ready to switch back, Tom Nancy has another idea . . . 

A deliciously subversive story that delivers some just deserts, Tom Nancy will have readers of all ages laughing out loud and on the edge of their seats.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Science Fiction, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2026

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[Autumn (Book Updates Only) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Tundra Book Group for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

What the crap was this? If I read this as a kid, I'd be traumatized. Be careful what you wish for, I guess?

Spoilers Ahead!: So basically this kid switches brains with a sheep (think like a Hoppers scenario if you've ever seen that) and the kid wants to switch back so he can, y'know, not be a sheep anymore, but the boy-sheep says no but then that sheep gets tired of being a boy because he has to do homework and the boy is just like lol nope but then he's ready to switch back but the machine is broken, so he's just stuck as a sheep for the rest of his life.... Like, this is nightmare fuel....

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really reminded me of a William Steig story. I'm slightly worried that Tom Nancy will traumatize children, but I thought the story was brilliant and dark and true.

X. Fang is such a genius, I love to see her moving from heartfelt projects like "Broken" to works of utter madness like "Tom Nancy".

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Cow! This book is so funny and I think mostly written for the adults that read it. It's almost like a horror book for kids, in that it scares them about growing up and becoming an adult. A sheep and a kid switch brains. The sheep realizes it kinda sucks being a person, because you have to grow up and get a job and deal with alot of paper work. The kid likes being a sheep because they can play outside and do whatever. I LOVED the images. I think that X. Fang is my new fav illustrator. So good at showing the kid and sheep expressions and the spread showing the process of growing up at the end is SO priceless and perfect. The message of the story is it sucks to grow up. I'm not sure all kids are ready to hear that, but grown ups reading this will totally relate to the sentiment.

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this through Libro.fm ALC program.

The four of us listened to this over breakfast yesterday and we all really loved it. It is as it says in the title: Tom Nancy is a sheep, and he swaps brains with a boy. Tom Nancy is no ordinary sheep, and one day he talks the boy, Felix, into trading brains with him for just one day. Tom Nancy discovers the joy of sandwiches. Felix learns about eating grass. Surprising no one, Felix is ready to switch back but Tom Nancy is not.

This was hysterical and took a twist I didn't expect. As a grownup with too much anxiety, I have THOUGHTS about what happened, but nothing I would share openly with my children in fear of traumatizing them. Mac Barnett did an excellent job with the voice acting, I did not expect that.

Truthfully though: we were all excited to listen to because Grandpa's name is Tom and Grandma's name is Nancy, and we can't wait to show them this. Tom Nancy!! [wipes away tears of laughter]

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Nancy is a beast and naughty sheep who lives on the farm of Felix's dad. Even the drawings of this sheep look a little evil. Felix is an innocent little boy who is tricked. This is funny, clever, and shows maybe the grass is not always greener on the other side. I did like the ending of this story.

Thank you to Tundra Book Group/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review and for the GLGB Award Committee.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is it better to be a sheep or a boy? Is it better to be a boring weird book or a witty and funny weird book?

I voted for "witty and funny" but I got "boring."

The art was not what I like, either.

Barnett is one of my favorite picture book authors, but this was seriously disappointing. Is he out of good ideas? Is he secretly a sheep now?

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh all right all right, Mac Barnett. I guess maybe the only person who could claim that "94.7 percent of kids' books are crud” and recover from it is the guy who could come up with this hilarious story. It’s absurd in my favorite way and X. Fang’s wild and silly illustrations perfectly complement the goofiness. I think that adults and very young children who need a predictable ending might be left unsatisfied, but lots of kids (and I) will enjoy the chaotic ride.

[R.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastoral, amusing, and absolutely dark, this book strengthens my belief that child readers can handle more than we give them credit for.

[pia · Rating 2 out of 5]

one of the few times i'll rate a picture book, this one's not good

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous book about how the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I had the audiobook narrated by the author which was fantastic and the ebook.

[Helen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware of clever sheep.

TOM NANCY: THE SHEEP WHO SWAPPED BRAINS WITH A BOY

I knew a picture book by Mac Barnett and X. Fang would be great, but putting them together creates something even better than the sum of its parts. It’s quadruple fantastic, hilarious, and wonderfully subversive.

The story follows a very clever sheep named Tom Nancy who convinces the farmer’s son, Felix, to switch brains with him. There just happens to be a brain-swapping machine in the old barn on the hill. Felix agrees to try it, just for the day, and the switch goes perfectly. What could go wrong?

It’s both the text by Mac Barnett and the illustrations by X. Fang that make this a delight to read. Tom Nancy takes to human life with hilarious abandon, declaring his day eating sandwiches instead of grass to be "simply stupendous!" I love seeing a word like stupendous in a picture book!

X. Fang’s illustrations tell the story, too. She captures the characters' personalities so perfectly through their faces that the brain swap is instantly recognizable: Felix retains his wide-eyed, innocent farm boy gaze inside a sheep's body, while Tom Nancy’s devious smirk and snide glint transfer flawlessly into the boy.

No spoilers here, there’s more to the story, including a surprise ending. I think this laugh-out-loud funny picture book is for school age children and adults.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A huge thank you to @NetGalley and @tundrabooks for the digital Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review!

[Larissa Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Nancy: The Sheep Who Swapped Brains with a Boy is a delight! First of all, can we talk about the name? What kind of name is Tom Nancy for a sheep? Or anyone for that matter? You might think his first name is Tom and his last Nancy, but throughout the book he’s always referred by the full name, Tom Nancy. We’re set up for absurdity right from the start.

Tom Nancy is a clever sheep who convinces the boy in question, Felix, to swap brains with him for a day—using a brain-swapping machine conveniently located in the barn. (No spoilers here, it’s right in the title!) X. Fang’s illustrations are fantastic. The really fun part is how she establishes the two characters’ identities through their facial expressions and hair styles—so even after they’ve swapped, we can tell who’s who. Felix as a sheep has the same wide-eyed and clueless expression he did as a boy, while Tom Nancy brings his sneer and forehead lop of hair to the boy’s body.

Tom Nancy has promised Felix they’ll swap back after a day, but he enjoys being a boy so much that he renegs on their agreement. You should never trust a clever sheep…

I won’t give away what happens after that, let’s just say you won’t be disappointed!

[Hannah Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Tom Nancy, Felix, a kind-hearted farm boy, swaps brains with a devious sheep named Tom Nancy. When Tom Nancy decides he likes being a boy and doesn't want to switch back, the second half of the story unfolds, and Felix makes a choice that leads to a surprise twist ending that readers are sure to enjoy! This is such a fun read, and in typical Mac Barnett fashion, turns the traditional "storybook ending" on it's head in a way that is both absurd and delightful.
I just need to gush over how excited I was to see a Mac Barnett/X. Fang pair up. I was so excited to see a new Mac Barnett book, as he's one of my favorite picture book authors. I've also been so delighted by X. Fang, who has really impressed me as an illustrator since I read We Are Definitely Human! These illustrations were fantastic, and matched the atmosphere of the story perfectly. The detail with the stylized eyes of the two main characters was great. Fans who enjoy Barnett's style of writing and humor are not going to be disappointed by this new book. It's perfect for the 2-5th grade age group, and I truly can't wait to read this one out loud and see how kids react to the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc in exchange for an honest review!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Nancy by Mac Barnett was absolutely hysterical. From the very beginning, the humor and ridiculous situations pulled me in, and I know my 4th graders are going to love this one—especially all the parts involving homework, chores, and the clever ways Tom tries to get out of responsibility.

What made the book especially fun was how it captured the feel of a classic trickster tale while still feeling modern and relatable for today’s readers. The humor is playful and clever without feeling overdone, and the pacing keeps the story moving quickly enough to hold even reluctant readers’ attention.

I also genuinely did not see the ending coming, which made it even better. The surprise ending added so much charm and humor, and I can already imagine my students reacting with the same shock and laughter that I had while reading.

Overall, this was such a fun read and a fantastic modern take on the traditional trickster tale. I think it will be a huge hit in upper elementary classrooms and with readers who enjoy funny, fast-paced stories with a clever twist.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cheeky little children’s book, beautifully illustrated, which is sure to delight both you and your child.

Tom Nancy is a devious, somewhat nasty little sheep, who lives on farm owned by Felix’s dad.

When, Felix a truly innocent little boy, is unwittingly coerced into switching brains with Tom Nancy for the day, they are soon to find out — be careful what you wish for!

A funny and clever book, filled with charming images, and a not too subtle message, this commentary on the “good life” will make any reader smile. For who wouldn’t prefer a life of prepared sandwiches (!) and dessert to one of fields of grass. The answer, we will surely see, is not at all what you might expect.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.


(4 1/2 stars rounded up)

[Olive · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Tom Nancy, who is a sheep on a farm, and Felix, a little boy who's father owns the farm. Tom has found a brain-swapping machine and convinces young Felix to try it with him.. Just for a day.

This was cute and I of course, adored the art work. I do wish it was longer, or had ended differently. There was a trajectory it was headed in (which I would have loved for the ending), and somewhere along the line, the end goal was lessened to half of the original trajectory.. And for that I was disappointed. It felt like it ended too soon. The ending is funny, for sure.. I just wanted a little bit more. Simply because the way it ends leaves me with a lotttt of questions. Haha.

Thank you NetGalley and Tundra Book Group for this ARC.

⭐ 3.25

[Jelai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently, all it takes to turn an ordinary farm day into chaos is one sheep with a brain swapping machine. 🐑 Tom Nancy is an absolute menace, and poor Felix really should have asked a few more questions before agreeing to anything. I loved how the humor starts out wonderfully silly and then gets increasingly sneaky. X. Fang's illustrations are a big part of the fun, especially the expressions that make it obvious who's really inside each body. There's also a surprisingly funny little jab at homework, chores, and the whole business of growing up. I did think the ending was a bit more twisted than some younger readers might expect, but that's also what makes it memorable. Silly, strange, and definitely not your usual cute sheep story!

[Hey_She _Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Tundra for the ARC!

I’m not really sure what to say about this one. I wanted to like it but there were so many things missing. For one, hinting that Sheep was mischievous would be a good start. The illustrator did a great job showing that but there’s no indication in the text. Secondly, there was no true motivation behind the sheep wanting to become a boy. I was hoping for build up or even showing the sheep watching the family and describing the fun things that would appeal to him. Lastly, though there’s so much more, the lesson if there was one wasn’t learned and boy staying as a sheep for the reasons he did isn’t very realistic.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd, yet funny picture book that will [in all honesty], go over most kids' heads [especially the littler ones], but will make the adults laugh like crazy and the shake their heads at the truth of it all.

The illustrations just add to the odd craziness of the whole book [I LOVED them; they are just so unique], and again, while kids will think this is funny [because seriously, the idea of switching brains with a sheep is hilarious], their adults will 100% resonate with it more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mac Barnett, X.Fang - Illustrator, and Tundra Book Group/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Tundra Book Group through NetGalley.
Barnett's characters always offer some twists along the way and this is no different. Tom Nancy is a nasty sheep who figures out how to design a machine that allows two creatures to swap brains. He convinces the farmer's son to switch with him for a short time. As readers may guess, this doesn't work and they stay in their roles longer. One of them learns how hard it is to be the other and wants to change back. I love the way this resolves itself as readers see the future. The artwork is fun to study and captures the text well.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quirky, unsettling story will delight elementary-aged kids, and adults will find it hilarious as well. This picture book has a tight plot and memorable characters, and regardless whether you anticipate the twist or not, it's a delight to behold. The illustrations add so much to the story, and the humor is pitch-perfect. I highly recommend this book as a read-aloud. Although very little children might find this scary and won't get the humor, this is perfect for school-age kids.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical & good message👦🐑

Loved the illustrator's style, especially Tom Nancy's sneers and smirks. The "the grass is always greener..." and "karma bites" messages are clear and all in all this is a delightful storybook that should please young kids and adults alike.

Thanks to Tundra Book Group and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

So, the original concept of the story I thought was absolutely adorable. And the book kept me intrigued and wanting to know what would happen next. But I was a bit let down by the ending. Not that every story has to have a moral lesson, but this book felt like it was setting one up to just...not. Which felt a bit disjointed. My daughter enjoyed the sheep in the story immensely.

[Nance McCarty]

Barnett, once again, delivers a hilarious book with a surprising punch. And X Fang’s illustrations are the icing on the cake. Felix, the boy, looks wide-eyed and confused. Tom Nancy, the sheep, looks like he has something up his sleeve…IF he had sleeves! When Tom Nancy suggests they switch brains, Felix agrees it could be interesting. Hilarious and thought provoking for the adults, but not sure the younger set will ‘get it’

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Mac Barnett. It's going to be a trip that will take you to .... certainly no where you expect to go. :-)

Tom Nancy is the most sinister sheep I have ever seen. He does swap brains with his boy. The boy isn't totally willing but is kind and willing to sacrifice so that the sheep can have a new and different experience. The sheep is manipulative and evil. And.... you'll be quite surprised by the ending, because, as I have already said, it's Mac Barnett. And it's amazing.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant picture book about a sheep named Tom Nancy (with creepy little slit eyes) who wanted to switch brains with a boy. But does Felix enjoy being a sheep? And what becomes of Tom Nancy...going to school, doing farm chores, and growing up into a man & father? This charming tale with lovely illustrations by X. Fang + an unexpected ending is a new favorite.

Themes: sci fi, sheep, humor
Ages: 1st-3rd grade
Pub year: 2026

[John Mullarkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm - I felt that the story ended with a thud. It certainly feels like a morality play here as there is a message (be careful what you wish for?) The artwork is expressive and unique and as a fan of Mac Barnett, I cannot say that I did not find this darkly funny. I think young kids would be somewhat if not all together scared, but mid-grade students would find it humorous and could draw conclusions about the story - much like from a myth or fable.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and fun, Tom Nancy is a warning to be careful what you wish for. I'm not sure it's healthy to convince children that it's better to be a sheep than a human, but as an adult human, I can't really argue with the logic. The illustrations are well suited to the sly Tom Nancy, and the confused other characters.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird as heck, witty, and wonderful as always. Loved it. For other Mac Barnett and X. Fang fans, I would say this one is much less ‘scary’ to sensitive littles than some of their other works, but the quirkiness of it is probably still best suited for ages 5+.

Thank you to Tundra Book Group for the advanced copy.

[Joe Young · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Tom Nancy is an (evil?) sheep who lives on a farm with Felix the boy and his family. One day, Tom Nancy uses a mysterious machine to switch places with Felix! What will Tom Nancy learn about being a boy? What will Felix learn about being a sheep? What happens when one of them doesn't want to switch back?

Read for story time 10/26.