Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep

by Anthony Pearson, Jennifer E. Morris (Illustrator)

Eduardo Guadardo may look fluffy. He may look cute. But he’s no little lamb. He’s about to graduate from the FBI―that’s the Fairytale Bureau of Investigations―as an Elite Sheep. He knows five forms of kung fu, and he can outfox the foxiest of foxes. In fact, he’s so good they put him on his own to keep the farmer’s daughter, Mary, safe from Wolf, Troll, and Witch. It’s a job for somebody baaaaaaad ―someone like a soon-to-be Elite Sheep. The thing is, protecting Mary isn’t quite as easy as Eduardo expected… This imaginary backstory for “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is hilarious, action-packed, and filled with subterfuge (that means pulling the wool over your eyes, for you civilians).

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, Juvenile, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2018

Reviews

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and quite smart idea! I didn’t know that I ever wondered how Mary got her lamb, but this backstory is one epic way for that nursery rhyme to come about! And Eduardo Guadardo is quite the character, and it really does give another outlook on why Mary’s lamb went to school with her. I also liked the additional layer that the author added to the story to show how arrogance does not lead to success and that even if you are good at something, if you can’t learn and work with others, you will not do well.

Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eduardo Guardardo thinks he is one elite sheep in this humorous fractured fairy-tale/nursery rhyme picture-book. Trained at the FBI (the Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigations), he imagines himself ready for a solo mission of his own, eschewing all offers of help from other agents and agents-in-training. But when his assignment to protect Mary, the farmer's daughter of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," he soon finds things getting out of control. Will he ask for help in time to save the mission...?

With an amusing tale intended to emphasize the importance of teamwork, and colorful, cartoon-style artwork that grabs the reader's attention, Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep is an entertaining picture-book, one sure to appeal to young fairy-tale and nursery rhyme fans, as well as to young children who like mystery and adventure stories. Although the artwork here wasn't really to my taste - it just felt a little too flat for me - I think it does accentuate the humor of the story. Recommended to readers looking for fun children's stories about working as part of a team.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this for free on Amazon because I'm a Prime member and I really enjoy this book. I recommend this book for kids because it teaches them that teamwork is important.

[Sara Texas Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

#partner Thank you to Blue Slip Media for the free copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

Y’all know I love a good twist on a fairy tale, and that love extends to picture books. Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep is about a cute sheep who’s about to graduate from the FBI. That’s the Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigations. His final test is to protect a precocious little girl named Mary (yes, of little lamb fame) from Wolf, Troll, and Witch. Turns out being a spy isn’t as easy as Eduardo thinks!

This is the CUTEST book!! Both of my kids loved it and have re-read it, and I really hope this will turn into a series. Kids will recognize fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters, and poor Eduardo is really put through the (hilarious) ringer. The illustrations are fun (look for the troll’s tattoo), and this is a pretty perfect read-aloud book. I’m planning to order a copy for my second grader’s classroom, since their teacher reads to them every day!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you like Adam Rubin and Dan Salmieri books (Dragons Love Tacos), I really think you’ll love this!

Do you and your kids like twists on fairy tales?

[Chandra Hollier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AWESOME and hilarious!

Great story about teamwork. My daughter enjoyed it. Great read aloud book. I liked how incorporated challenging words and gave the definitions within the story. Great message.

[Callie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review is for the digital format

I do not own the physical copy of this book, but I did sadly purchase the digital format. The font is ridiculously SMALL. Extremely difficult for an adult to try to read, how on earth is a young reader supposed to follow the text? Someone needs to realize that even though it's a picture book, the words still need to be legible for the children, the audience for whom this was intended. Additionally, the digital format is in landscape mode with no option to rotate. This is just poor planning as it would likely eliminate the text issue if it were presented in portrait mode. The images are also small because of this format. Basically the format ruins the book presentation, and with children, presentation is king! Attention companies that make children's picture books.......MAKE them in PORTRAIT mode. That's far more important than the keeping a two page-spread...or make it optional.

[Decemberriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Help

Pretty cute. The adult reader can make this a fun read or ruin this book when reading it to young children. It's a good story for showing there's no shame in needing help. Having help makes a job easier to handle. Sometimes a job is too much for one person, whether they'll admit it or not. Being helpful or needing to be helped are part of life. Knowing it is part of life too!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sweet sheep!

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eduardo Guadardo wants to be an Elite Sheep and he’s about to get his chance when he’s given his very own case from the F.B.I (Fairy-tale Bureau of Investigation). Believing he doesn’t need a partner, Eduardo sets out to work his case, but things don’t go exactly as planned for this Elite Sheep.

Anthony Pearson’s Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep is an absolutely delightful and wildly charming new picture book! Pearson takes classic fairytale stories and characters, infuses them with his irresistibly amusing storytelling, creating a pitch-perfect tale that will leave little and big readers in fits of giggles. Jennifer Morris wonderfully captures this topsy-turvy tale and brings Eduardo and the other fairytale characters to life through lively, cheeky, and engaging illustrations.

Little readers will have so much fun watching Eduardo’s wacky and funny case unfold and will be delighted by the surprise ending. With a positive message about teamwork and an immensely laugh-out-loud story, Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep is sure to be a storytime hit!

[SammiSue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was funny

I liked it because the sheep talks like this. "Baaaaaa baaaa". My favorite bad guy was wolf because he tried to trap the good guy, but he got caught himself. 🏇🐎🚕🚔⌚🛅🚚🚙🚻🚯🚱🚹🚺📴♿

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read..

Kids will love it and adults to. Teaches a valuable lesson on team work sms to ask for help from others.

[Onionboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cut drawings, fun story for kids, and teaches a good lesson on humilty and the need for help from others.

[Melenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a great read, i really enjoy ... would you call it a comic? i got to read it on my kindle ...so awesome. loved the doodles, great quick read ... awesome! ( ;

[Rose English · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 57 of my Goodreads Challenge

Enjoyable new version of 'Mary had a little lamb'

[Jami Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect the twist.

I liked the characters.

I was annoyed by the definitions of FBI terms...but reminded myself this was a kids' book. :-)

The artwork amused me.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and clever with a good message about teamwork, but might go a little over the heads of kids who haven't watched a lot of cop movies. Ages 5-7.

[Anomaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, Cartoony Fun

There isn't much substance to the moral of this tale - something about being good at teamwork and knowing your own capabilities - but it's a fun, little book all the same. It includes a few opportunities to teach kids new, difficult (for them) words like 'dossier' and 'perpetrator' while also having a few jokes for adults. (Nothing dirty! Just things like calling the government agent Gingerbread Man 'G-Man'.) The art isn't all that exciting, but it feels like a cartoon environment and looks nice anyway.

I've been reading a few children's books in seek of some that are gift worthy, and I think this one has made that list.

[Nicole Salter Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny

[Lester Muirhead · Rating 3 out of 5]

My old cartoon adventure based on Mary Had A Little Lamb. Quite short but not bad of its type.

[Michita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little read

It’s a great read to show kiddos the importance of teamwork! There isn’t “I” in teamwork! I can’t wait to have them act it out!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eduardo wants to be part of the FBI, the Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigations. He is hoping to become an Elite Sheep after he is given his first case, protecting Mary from the troll, witch, and wolf. Are you seeing a fairytale theme here? Eduardo believes he is able to handle things all on his own and doesn’t accept any help until he gets into trouble and then, the wool gets pulled over his eyes!

This story offers a possible prequel to the beloved poem, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” as Eduardo becomes Mary’s little lamb to save her from what he is sure to be a tragic event. When the Gingerbread Man offers to help him during his investigation, Eduardo turns him down and decides he can handle it all. Kids will learn that it is ok to not take on too much and be willing to ask for help and recognize their limitations.

The pages are full of characters to look at and the kids will find all of Eduardo’s disguises and antics to be silly. The font is quite different for a children’s book but it goes along with the FBI theme as it has an “official feel” to its look. I do wish the author had come up with a different name for the main character as I think it is a bit hard for kids to say the name. It was hard for me to remember how to spell it.

Eduardo has a dream of becoming an FBI agent and works hard. He just lets his pride get in the way. The story offers a life lesson even for the youngest of readers.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny book that will appeal to kids with prior knowledge of Little Bo Peep and Mary had a little lamb.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating provided by the 5 year old. Not the first time we've read it.

Rating provided by the 5 year old. Not the first time we've read it.

It was an OK book (Mom).

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eduardo Guadardo is graduating from the Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigations (FBI). He is not Mary’s little lamb, but an Elite Sheep and he is getting his first assignment. His job is to protect Mary from the Witch, Wolf and Troll. The only problem with protecting Mary is that she is a bit active. She skis on the water, flies through the air, and even goes to school. Eduardo is having a hard time keeping up. Other agents ask if they can assist but he always says no. But when Mary wants to leave the school and the villains are close by Eduardo asks for help to keep her in the school and to keep her safe. Suddenly, a big reveal happens, and Eduardo finds out that keeping an eye on Mary was just a test. Do you think Eduardo passed? Will he become an Elite Sheep?

This fun spin from the song Mary Had A Little Lamb is quirky, silly and hilariously clever. Young readers will love the images of various animals resembling security agents around the premises and reading about the FBI jargon. Parents and teachers will get a kick out of this story and can use it to discuss fairy tales, sing the song and what they could do as an FBI agent.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret squirrel - um, sheep - Eduardo Guardado is about to graduate from fairy-tale FLETC. The top of his class and way smarter than everyone else, he's about to take on the assignment of protecting adorable Mary (of had a Little Lamb fame and child of a wealthy farmer).
Spoiler alert: It's a setup. The fairy-tale world is pranking Eduardo into learning teamwork. This being a children's book, Eduardo's fall from grace isn't too bad. He just needs to learn to accept the friendship and learn to find the good in others to really be a superstar. Eduardo's classmates' willingness to give him a second chance as he learns friendship and teamwork prompted a good discussion about the same with my six-year-old.
The illustrations are hilarious and amazing; the rafter-rappelling gingerbread man rocks. It rather helps when you're asked to read the book three times in one day!
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway, presumably because the Goodreads algorithm gods were smiling on me and/or were hoping I'd post an honest review.

[Jolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, and my 4 yr old grandson was very excited that i finally got a book for him. Lol We both really enjoyed this book. He liked the pictures which kept him involved in the story.
It is a reimagined version of Mary had a Little Lamb. It starts off with Eduardo who is about to graduate from the FBI (Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigation) to become an Elite Sheep. He gets a case to protect Mary, and he thinks he can do it all by himself. Unfortunately he finds out that it's not going to be so easy. Mary is a very adventurous little girl, and Eduardo finds it difficult to keep up. Though Eduardo is asked several times throughout the story if he needs help, he is determined to do it by himself. The moral of the story is everybody needs help, and how much easier it is to do a good job with your friends by your side. It was a cute story, and my grandson really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Blue Slip Media for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

A very original story idea: Eduardo Guadardo enrolls in the FBI (fairy-tale bureau of investigations). He is so elite that he gets put on a case before he even graduates from the academy.

Before he knows it, he gets thrown right into a scene from Mary Had a Little Lamb. But he doesn't know that Mary is an undercover agent, whose job is to reveal Eduardo Guadardo's main flaw: he's a terrible team player.

This is a largely dialogue-driven story that was a tad bit confusing to read aloud. My daughter asked a lot of questions as we read, which allowed us to talk through what was happening in the illustrations and left out of the narrative.

A lot of the dialogue is super funny and very "now" (e.g., when Mary calls Eduardo "you silly Fleecy McFleece").

Lots of good stuff happening here!

[Mell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

The concept of this book sounded fun and clever, but the story is mediocre and preachy. Kids are perceptive and appreciate books with some depth and variety in characters. Many background characters are shown in the artwork, but very few are named and most just have a line or two of dialogue.

The Kindle version of this book is just plain awful. You can't zoom in on or enlarge any of the pages or illustrations. The result is tiny text that is not reader-friendly to anyone, especially not for the young children in the target audience. The illustrations are cute, but you can't appreciate them because the details are lost among the busy pages. Maybe the artwork is better in the printed version. But I don't recommend this book.

[Akoss · Rating 3 out of 5]

@Kidlitexchange #partner - I received a copy of this book from the Kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Released 10/1/18

Eduardo Guadardo is a very capable and confident sheep who is about to graduate from the Fairy-tale Bureau of Investigations but not before he successfully completes his very first assignment. Eduardo is super excited and can’t wait to prove himself to his superiors.

I love the clever play on the FBI acronym. The way the story is written with prose mixed with speech bubbles makes for a fun and funny read out loud experience.
I’ve never asked myself how Mary and her little Lamb met but now I guess I have an answer ready just in case my kids get curious.