Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep

by Anthony Pearson, Jennifer E. Morris (Illustrator)

Overview

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 case: 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).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781503902909
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	10/01/2018
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Anthony Pearson is not a spy. He’s not. We promise. He’s actually a school counselor, a child therapist, and the author of Baby Bear Eats the Night, illustrated by Bonnie Leick. But that didn’t stop him from digging for clues about “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” What he found made him imagine what could have inspired the rhyme: a sheep that is totally, absolutely, 100 percent in control of things … or maybe just 95 percent. And squirrels in sunglasses. Oh, and a witch flying a helicopter. But you didn’t hear about the Fairytale Bureau of Investigations from him. Anthony and his family live in deep cover in Georgia. Get more intel about him at www.AnthonyPearson.info.

Editorial Reviews

This is a zany adventure with vivid cartoon characters and a multitude of jokes on every page. Perhaps there will be more adventures for the Elite Sheep. The premise is a promise of more to come.” —New York Journal of Books

“I love a good fractured fairy tale, and Eduardo Guadardo fits the bill!” —Mom Read It

“The story offers a life lesson even for the youngest of readers.” —Sincerely Stacie

“Original, creative, and such fun!” —Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews

“Quirky, silly, and hilariously clever…Parents and teachers will get a kick out of this story.” —Kristi’s Book Nook

“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!” —Unleashing Readers

From the Publisher

09/01/2018
K-Gr 2—Egocentric Eduardo considers himself the star pupil of the F.B.I. (the Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigation.) Cocksure of his elite capabilities and confident he needs no assistance, he grabs greedily at a special assignment guarding Mary from a trio of villains. Unaware this is a sting aimed at his attitude, he quickly discovers this is no solo sinecure—he needs help! Cartoony illustrations accompany the amusing dialogue (encapsulated in comic-strip 'balloons') as Eduardo struggles to guard and protect a strong-minded Mary, and learns the benefits of cooperation. VERDICT A strong plea for teamwork and assistance, Eduardo and the F.B.I. Gang will appeal to readers not yet ready for The Avengers.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2018-08-14

Eduardo is not just any sheep—he's going to be an Elite Sheep, and he can't wait to graduate from the Fairy-Tale Bureau of Investigations.

When he reports to the home office, he's excited to learn he's been assigned his own case—and humble he's not. The other agents' offers of assistance are spurned with righteous indignation. "Would someone who needs a partner already get put on a case? Before they even graduate?" Three "perpetrators," i.e. "bad guys," are trying to kidnap Mary for a zillion-dollar ransom, and it's Eduardo's job to keep her safe—only it's not as easy as it sounds. Bashed, crashed, and smashed, Eduardo finally yelps for help and realizes that being a team player is what being Elite is all about. Pearson's tough-guy asides come fast and furious and will be responsible for many an eye-roll whiplash. "This here's what you call a dossier (pronounced DAH-see-ay for all you civilians)." Morris' too-cool-for-school secret-agent squirrels, complete with sunglasses, clipboards, and earpieces, document Eduardo's every blunder from the endpapers to the team sports competitions. Pun-filled scenarios that alternate between the Men in Black-like headquarters and nursery-rhyme citizenry reminiscent of Shrek's cast provide many visual distractions when the story slows or gets too corny. In true comic-strip fashion, the dialogue is confined to speech bubbles, and cracks about Mary's little lamb abound. Eduardo's comeuppance is as subtle as a sledgehammer, as is the author's call for teamwork.

A little too cute for its own good. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews