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Counting Ovejas
Una oveja blanca. /
One white sheep.
¡Adiós, oveja blanca! /
Good-bye, white sheep!
What do you do when you can't sleep? Count sheep in Spanish and English, of course! But what happens when those rascally sheep get a little too close for comfort? Well, if you're anything like the sleepy little hero in this clever tale, you might just tire yourself out trying to get rid of them!
From the talented duo of Sarah Weeks and Caldecott Medalist David Diaz, Counting Ovejas is the perfect way to say good night (and learn colors and numbers) in English and in Spanish.
One white sheep.
¡Adiós, oveja blanca! /
Good-bye, white sheep!
What do you do when you can't sleep? Count sheep in Spanish and English, of course! But what happens when those rascally sheep get a little too close for comfort? Well, if you're anything like the sleepy little hero in this clever tale, you might just tire yourself out trying to get rid of them!
From the talented duo of Sarah Weeks and Caldecott Medalist David Diaz, Counting Ovejas is the perfect way to say good night (and learn colors and numbers) in English and in Spanish.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 27, 2006
43 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Weeks
103 books510 followersSarah Weeks has been writing children’s books and songs for the past twenty years. She is a graduate of Hampshire College and NYU and recently became an adjunct faculty member in the prestigious Writing Program at the New School University, in New York City.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 31, 2022
A simple bilingual book that focuses on numbers one through ten as well as colors!
October 5, 2014
Weeks, S. & Díaz, D. (2006). Counting Ovejas. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
School Library Journal (2006).
Counting Category
The bilingual picture book “Counting Ovejas” is a great read for children who are not able to fall asleep. It is funny how the boy tries to get rid of the sheeps when he wants to sleep. The book is very colorful and most of all it is a good way for kids to learn how to count. I would use the bilingual book for students who are early learners and need to practice counting; it is a great resource for second language learners.
I can definitely see it useful in a dual language program. The repetition in the book helps kids to practice counting. I would find it useful to build vocabulary skills, the colors and numbers of course. A visual element in the book is that all the pages are very colored and include a number and a color. The book is intended for Pre-K to K students. A peaceful, pleasant reading. I felt relaxed after reading it!
School Library Journal (2006).
Counting Category
The bilingual picture book “Counting Ovejas” is a great read for children who are not able to fall asleep. It is funny how the boy tries to get rid of the sheeps when he wants to sleep. The book is very colorful and most of all it is a good way for kids to learn how to count. I would use the bilingual book for students who are early learners and need to practice counting; it is a great resource for second language learners.
I can definitely see it useful in a dual language program. The repetition in the book helps kids to practice counting. I would find it useful to build vocabulary skills, the colors and numbers of course. A visual element in the book is that all the pages are very colored and include a number and a color. The book is intended for Pre-K to K students. A peaceful, pleasant reading. I felt relaxed after reading it!
November 6, 2018
This book is such a good storytime book! It's a fun counting book, and also a great way to introduce kids to colors in both Spanish and English.
As I read the colors in Spanish, I asked the kids (who were native English speakers) to tell me what color the sheep were. ("That's right, they're blue! Azul is blue in Spanish!") Then we counted each sheep, and we noted how the child helped the sheep leave the room when we were done counting them. (Did he lift them with his arms? Carry them in a wheelbarrow? Move them in a truck? How would you move eight or nine or ten sheep?)
The kids especially liked getting to say goodbye to all the sheep before we turned each page. We waved bye-bye to them all!
As I read the colors in Spanish, I asked the kids (who were native English speakers) to tell me what color the sheep were. ("That's right, they're blue! Azul is blue in Spanish!") Then we counted each sheep, and we noted how the child helped the sheep leave the room when we were done counting them. (Did he lift them with his arms? Carry them in a wheelbarrow? Move them in a truck? How would you move eight or nine or ten sheep?)
The kids especially liked getting to say goodbye to all the sheep before we turned each page. We waved bye-bye to them all!
April 27, 2021
Good book and good introduction to Spanish numbers and colors but I'm not sure I'll use it for storytime because even my basic Spanish is pretty rusty. May try and find a video to refresh myself and then try it.
May 25, 2025
This brilliant bilingual book is a wonderful introduction to Spanish (or English), colors, and counting for young readers. The colorful, dream-like illustrations beautifully complement the text. It also makes an excellent read-aloud!
August 24, 2017
Beautifully illustrated with a Latin-American, folk art style and seamlessly bilingual (with phonic pronunciations included).
February 4, 2018
Counting sheep from one to ten in two languages. Includes colors.
May 11, 2018
Would really love to use this for my sheep storytime. I hope it is not too long.
January 8, 2021
Cute multilingual bedtime book that teaches 1-10 in spanish and english as well as 10 colors.
September 7, 2022
Counting colorful sheep in Spanish and English.
September 5, 2023
Delightful book! I especially enjoyed the David Diaz illustrations. I also liked the fact that it was in English and Spanish.
January 6, 2024
A little basic. Art wasn't great. Had Spanish and English with pronunciation which was super handy.
July 3, 2024
An enchanting bilingual book with proper Spanish pronunciation for those learning the language for the first time. An excellent tool for bedtime or naptime.
May 15, 2025
large beautiful illustrations great for storytime, counting to 10 in spanish and english, colors
March 15, 2017
Fun illustrations. Love the curly-que sheep. This is a fun way to learn Spanish and English together, numbers and colors and shapes. Nice job Sarah Weeks!
May 8, 2008
CIP: "When increasing numbers of sheep in a rainbow of colors appear in a boy's bedroom as he tries to fall asleep, he must resort to more and more elaborate means of removing them."
Maggie: Anyone who has had difficulty falling asleep at night can sympathize with the little boy at the center of this story, who resorts to counting sheep in order to catch some shut-eye. As the number of sheep increases, the ways in which the boy removes them from his room become more and more humourous. The gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott winner Diaz are a wonderful accompaniment to this bilingual story, which offers pronunciation cues for the Spanish text. Recommended for ages 3 to 6.
SLJ: "PreS-K-A boy says good night to his parents and then tries to get some shut-eye, but the nocturnal noises of the house keep him awake. So, he turns to counting sheep. First comes a single white sheep, followed by two brown ones, then three blacks ones, etc. Each succeeding grouping of rambunctious, rainbow-colored lambs must be herded out (e.g., "jAdios, ovejas violetas!/Good-bye, violet sheep!"), and the youngster must come up with ever-more-resourceful ways of getting the animals out of his room. Diaz's acrylic-andpencil illustrations are sublime, employing a dreamy palette of colors. The bilingual text is simple, accurate, and engaging. Plenty of repetition makes this an ideal selection for early learners."
Booklist: "Gr. 2-4. Tucked into bed but sleepless, a preschool insomniac counts sheep, or ovejas, in this bilingual bedtime story. As the child counts up to 10, each group of sheep appears in a different color: “Cuatro ovejas rosas. Four pink sheep. / Adios, ovejas rosas! Good-bye, pink sheep.” The very simple, rhythmic narrative sets a comfortably dozy pace, with pronunciation guides for the Spanish text. Diaz's acrylic-and-pencil illustrations portray a wide-eyed child ushering the woolly sheep out of the bedroom, using a variety of methods. The counting concept is clear and easy to follow, and the large figures will show easily for large groups. An attractive sleepytime offering for fluent and new Spanish speakers alike."
Maggie: Anyone who has had difficulty falling asleep at night can sympathize with the little boy at the center of this story, who resorts to counting sheep in order to catch some shut-eye. As the number of sheep increases, the ways in which the boy removes them from his room become more and more humourous. The gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott winner Diaz are a wonderful accompaniment to this bilingual story, which offers pronunciation cues for the Spanish text. Recommended for ages 3 to 6.
SLJ: "PreS-K-A boy says good night to his parents and then tries to get some shut-eye, but the nocturnal noises of the house keep him awake. So, he turns to counting sheep. First comes a single white sheep, followed by two brown ones, then three blacks ones, etc. Each succeeding grouping of rambunctious, rainbow-colored lambs must be herded out (e.g., "jAdios, ovejas violetas!/Good-bye, violet sheep!"), and the youngster must come up with ever-more-resourceful ways of getting the animals out of his room. Diaz's acrylic-andpencil illustrations are sublime, employing a dreamy palette of colors. The bilingual text is simple, accurate, and engaging. Plenty of repetition makes this an ideal selection for early learners."
Booklist: "Gr. 2-4. Tucked into bed but sleepless, a preschool insomniac counts sheep, or ovejas, in this bilingual bedtime story. As the child counts up to 10, each group of sheep appears in a different color: “Cuatro ovejas rosas. Four pink sheep. / Adios, ovejas rosas! Good-bye, pink sheep.” The very simple, rhythmic narrative sets a comfortably dozy pace, with pronunciation guides for the Spanish text. Diaz's acrylic-and-pencil illustrations portray a wide-eyed child ushering the woolly sheep out of the bedroom, using a variety of methods. The counting concept is clear and easy to follow, and the large figures will show easily for large groups. An attractive sleepytime offering for fluent and new Spanish speakers alike."
October 11, 2018
Modern Fantasy
K-2nd reading level
This is a very simplistic but cute little book. It has great illustrations, and would be great for kids to learn simple Spanish. It would also be great for any bilingual students who speak both English and Spanish.
K-2nd reading level
This is a very simplistic but cute little book. It has great illustrations, and would be great for kids to learn simple Spanish. It would also be great for any bilingual students who speak both English and Spanish.
January 12, 2013
I used this as the participation story for a going to sleep-themed Spanish and bilingual story time. I love the artwork. The book is pretty simple--a little boy can't sleep so he counts different-colored sheep. It's a great story for young children to practice counting and name colors. The story can be read in English or Spanish. I used it as a Spanish story for bilingual story time, but when the kids gave me the "answers" (for example, 10 ovejas amarillas), I then asked them to say it in English (10 yellow sheep). The only thing I'm not a fan of is that one of the colors is turquoise. Of course, all the kids will say blue or green, and I would probably let it slide except that there are already sheep in those colors in the story. I made it kind of a vocabulary lesson, explaining that turquoise is a color between blue and green. Orange may have been a better choice...
I also used read the story in Spanish for a sheep-themed program for Spanish and bilingual story times in December 2012.
I also used read the story in Spanish for a sheep-themed program for Spanish and bilingual story times in December 2012.
July 30, 2012
I have to be honest. If I was the one reviewing this book, I would probably give it 4 stars. However, I suspect my baby would give it 5 stars. :-) We read this during playtime yesterday, and it was the first book that he has ever tried to grab out of my hands to play with. He realized that he could turn the pages (well, more or less, he's only 5 months old) and once he realized that, he was hooked. We spent 15 minutes--eternity in baby time--flipping through the pages together as I read the bilingual text and he stared at the colorful sheep. So, this book gets 5 stars for being the first that he wanted to hold in his own hands.
[Actual info about the book: The text is simple. A young boy tries to fall asleep and counts sheep. There is lots of repetition. Each page teaches a color and a number and uses the phrase "Goodbye [insert color] sheep." "Adios, [color] ovejas." The Spanish is spelled out phonetically for non-Spanish speakers.]
[Actual info about the book: The text is simple. A young boy tries to fall asleep and counts sheep. There is lots of repetition. Each page teaches a color and a number and uses the phrase "Goodbye [insert color] sheep." "Adios, [color] ovejas." The Spanish is spelled out phonetically for non-Spanish speakers.]
November 15, 2015
In this book a child who can't fall asleep, and counts and dismisses different colored sheep. It is written in both Spanish and English, and provides phonetic pronunciation for the Spanish text. This book could be used to talk about diversity of language (e.g., some families speak different languages, which languages do our friends speak), or simply to provide an accessible text for spanish speaking children. As the story is simple with a repetitive flow (e.g., # colored sheep), it would also be an easier book for english language learners to understand. Furthermore, this book provides children opportunities to practice counting and color identification.
March 21, 2013
This book offers repetition and color patterns (ex. 6 pink sheep, 7 purple sheep) for counting. The illustrations are vivid. Plus, it is bilingual. What a goldmine for a classroom. I would certainly use it to introduce counting in Spanish in a classroom. Counting sheep is a great way to connect math to everyday use- it makes math relevant.
Read
June 15, 2016I liked the counting and think children will really enjoy having this read to them. It makes me want to work on a Hmong/English counting book for school. The illustrations were wonderful. I found the pronunciation underneath the text to be a bit distracting, but useful I suppose for readers who are unfamiliar with Spanish. I would have preferred pronunciation at the beginning or the end.
March 28, 2008
Un libro bilingue que enseña los colores y los números, con dibujos bellísimos. A bilingual book that teaches colors and numbers, with beautiful pictures. Although I question the inclusion of "turquoise" as a color young children will be able to identify.
May 1, 2008
The perfect book for El Dia de los ninos! This book counts in Spanish and does color words in Spanish. The little girl is counting sheep/ovejas so that she can go to sleep. Loved it, loved it, loved it!
August 20, 2009
When increasing numbers of sheep in a rainbow of colors appear in a boy's bedroom as he tries to fall asleep, he must resort to more and more elaborate means of removing them. www.hcpl.net
This is a nice bedtime book.
This is a nice bedtime book.
April 15, 2012
In this book, a little girl counts different colored sheep before she goes to bed. This book is so simple with few words; it is a great read as a bed time story for a little one. This book can be used to teach colors as well as counting. Also, this book is bilingual, making it culturally diverse!
September 30, 2014
My story time group really got into this. I don't know if several of them had seen it before at my co-workers story time. However, they were repeating the Spanish right after me (unfortunately mine is atrocious.)
A child counts various colored sheep and say adios to each group.
A child counts various colored sheep and say adios to each group.
March 14, 2008
This is a very gentle story good for toddlers, though I've used it with preschool as well. Count the sheep of different colors in Spanish and English before falling to sleep.
July 27, 2010
Counting and colors in English and Spanish. The sleeping sheep are adorable!
July 25, 2011
Israel really loved this book. I think I might have to actually purchase a copy. It'a a fun little bilingual book. Teaches colors and numbers in Spanish
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews