The SheepOver By Jennifer Churchman

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. 0316273562 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. 0316273562 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.
0316273562 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! 0316273562 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. 0316273562

Jennifer Churchman ´ 9 characters

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! The SheepOver

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.... 0316273562 I want this sheep to be my very best friend the whole world and to be invited to it's sleepovers. 0316273562 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! 0316273562 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. 0316273562 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. 0316273562