The SheepOver

Sweet Pea & Friends #1

by John Churchman, Jennifer Churchman, Robert Petkoff (Reading)

Meet the adorable orphan lamb Sweet Pea and discover why her true story has become a picture book phenomenon and enchanted readers of all ages!

One cold winter night, Sweet Pea the orphan lamb becomes very sick. Everyone in the farmyard is worried about her! Under the watchful care of Farmer John, Laddie the sheepdog, and Dr. Alison the mobile veterinarian, she slowly recovers. Dr. Alison tells Sweet Pea she can have a sleepover to celebrate as soon as she is well again. When the day finally comes, her closest friends Sunny, Prem, and Violet join her in the greenhouse for a fun and imaginative "SheepOver" celebration.

This charming story of caring and friendship by farm owners John and Jennifer Churchman, brought to life with John's entrancing photo-illustrations, will enchant readers young and old. In the words of one of her many fans, "Sweet Pea brings a calming, authentic joy to my life that makes me laugh, cry and gives me hope that all is well in the world. . . . Everyone needs a little Sweet Pea in their lives!"

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Rabbits, Juvenile

Audiobook

Published January 10, 2017

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book on the news. The story introduced photographer & farmer John Churchman and his wife Jennifer. On their farm, they have an orphaned lamb they named Sweetpea. Sweetpea becomes ill but soon recovers. She celebrates her good health by having a sleepover with her other sheep friends. The local friends and other farmers began calling this a "Sheepover" which led to the Churchman's publishing a debut children's book. Delightful, good photography, and plans for more books!

[Jill Pickle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-designed on the outside, but this is where the appeal ends. Besides just the personal taste of whether I like the digitally manipulated photographic art (I don't), this book has a host of issues:
Too many characters, conflict resolved too early, meandering, and boring.
I'm shocked this went to auction.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, okay, it's a children's book...but if you love the sweet faces of lambs, goats, dogs.... This book is irresistible, with its enhanced photography, which is simply magical. The story is simple (it IS for children), but it's dear and wonderful, and if you need a smile....

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this sheep to be my very best friend the whole world and to be invited to it's sleepovers.

[Mary Narkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I live in Vermont, this book even more especially gives me joy. Gorgeous illustrations, page after page. Large format book . The story of a sheep named Sweet Pea and her adorable animal friends having a party, a vet visit and life under starry winter Vermont Skies.
I just want to live inside this beautiful book.

[Munro's Kids · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sweet Pea the orphaned lamb has fallen ill, but she recovers almost immediately...OR DOES SHE? What appears to be an innocent children's book about partying livestock becomes, on closer inspection, a disturbing glimpse into the delirious brain of a dying sheep. The surreal imagery that blossoms on the page speaks more to a fevered mind in the last seconds of life than any recognizable reality. Disco balls, watchful hounds with the stink of hell on them, and psychedelic starbursts abound - and by the final pages Sweet Pea has looked back over her life through the medium of a photo album, and accepted her inevitable death and ascendance to a peaceful space realm. This subversive exploration of mortality in a work for so young an audience is both challenging and inimitable: a morbid masterpiece.

[Eyehavenofilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really into sheep, however this was a great little diversion for me. The unique manipulation of the authors photography was a very different technique that I enjoyed, and I liked the idea that it was something totally new and different. It made up for the minor lag in the story. ( yes I know books are supposed to be more story driven!) however, this is more of a fantasy, I mean a " sheep over?" SERIOUSLY! It's funny ,silly, colourful, and based on a real sheep that was orphaned and taken in by the author.The book started out with a small printing and was spotted by an agent from a large company and picked up for a massive printing and became a hit, every author wishes that would happen, and I'm sure more books are on the way, a dream come true!

[Amy (Other Amy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is not really there but I love the SheepOver idea. The visual presentation (photography digitally brushed into illustration) is different and arresting but a little hard on the eyes in places. I'll be interested to see if there are future books.

[Jeani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was drawn to this one because I love when the illustrations are actual photographs. However, with this book the photographs were layered again and again and it was distracting. The story was adorable, though, and my daughter appreciated that Sweet Pea is a real sheep that needed saving.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable little book. The art work is great and the story is sweet. Be prepared to fall in love with Sweet Pea.

[Claire Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sweet picture book - it melds photography with art to tell the story of Sweet Pea the sheep.

[JennLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spectacular and unique photos (sheep breath on a frosty window as an overlay makes things magical) compensate for a so-so storyline.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweat Pea isn't feeling well, so the farmer calls the vet and other animals to help her get well. Once she is recovered the farm has a party, a SheepOver, to celebrate.

This is based on a true story but there are fantasy elements introduced (like the animals talking to one another). The most interesting thing to me about this picture book was the unique artwork. The authors talk about it in the back of the book. They layered photos of frost over the animals to create a dreamy/winter fantasy quality to the illustrations. It looks pretty cool. The story is cute and a little silly. Recommended to readers who enjoy unique artwork and farm animal stories.

[Vinkkitonttu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Todella erinomaisella valokuva-kuvituksella varustettu tylsä tarina. Kuvat ovat itsessään niin kauniita, että kirjaa on ihana selata, mutta tarina oli aika pettymys kuvien kauneuteen nähden. Tarina soveltuu erinomaisen hyvin ja varmasti myös uppoaa erinomaisen hyvin perheen pienimpiin, alle 5-vuotiaisiin, mutta kuvitus saattaa olla heille liian taiteellinen ja jopa sekavan oloinen.

[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you love sheep you will enjoy this book. Wonderful photography that is at times muted and blended to give a softened look to the story. Sweet Pea is an orphaned lamb that is ill. With attention from a friendly vet she survives and as a reward has a Sheepover with all her friends. Very cute details and animals.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew even animals have sleepovers with their friends. After an illness, when Sweet Pea the sheep has recovered, she is permitted to have a "Sheepover" with her best friends. The photo/illustrations are lovely and lend an air of believability to this story.

[Alfredalmond]

Sweet idea. I read about the book in the Daedalus catalog. It was a bit long for kids but sweet. I loved the touching illustrations/photos. Good or the author that moved from self publishing to publisher. S

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I can imagine the appeal, but neither my inner child nor I liked it at all. Sheep are sheep, goats are goats, dogs are dogs, and the kind of friendship they sometimes actually have is special/ This bizarre fantasy is just creepy.

I like the vet though. Vets rock.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adorable multi media photo illustrations don't save the slim plot of this book. Love the author photos with their border collies!

[4 Starr Kids · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beautiful photography, but the story was lacking. My 9 year old declared is wasn't a good story.

[Leena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ihana kuvitus, mutta tarina vähän kepoisa, ikään kuin kerrottu vain siksi, että saatiin kuvista tehtyä kirja ....

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using part illustrations and part photography, John Churchman tells the story of a sheep that becomes sick and takes you through the healing process and the party that ensues afterward.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet book that will be gifted to children.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely picture book to introduce farm animals to preschool age children. I couldn't resist it because of the cover! The photos are wonderful.

[XZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm very confused by what's happening, but I liked the animal pictures~

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable book! I enjoyed the photo-illustration combo and the sweet story. It's very cute and I love Sweet Pea so much! Am excited to read the other books.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hits lots of the right notes with the little ones including the assortment of animals and the pictures. This was one of my daughter's favourites when we first started reading to her.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coool art

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially love the pictures/illustrations in the fun book! My grandchildren love it!

[Becki C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic artwork. Super weird story.