Sheep in Nursery Rhymes and Children's Books and Stories

Ranked #927 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #43,289 overall

The Lowly Loveable Lamb -- Vulnerable but Prized

Sheep don't translate well to characters in stories. Think of the qualities we imagine as sheep-like: passive, not very smart, following the crowd. . . . Well, on the other hand, aren't many of us something like that, at least part of the time? When was the last time you did something that really stood out? And then there's the notion of the "black sheep."

Actually, a black sheep in a herd of white sheep is something highly valued by a person who spins and weaves wool. The black sheep's fleece doesn't need to be dyed as it is already an interesting shade for making socks or a sweater. But then it will not take the dye if what the craftsperson wants is another color either. So a black sheep's wool can be either prized or undesirable, depending on the person who receives it.

Sheep characters in stories can be that way, too. As the main character, they may seem uninteresting, yet many stories are written in which sheep are there in the background, setting the stage for the action that happens around them. And then there are stories in which a sheep's very characteristics are the point in the story and are the focus for the tale. Some Biblical stories come to mind in this regard.

This lens will look at some of these stories that involve sheep, either as the backdrop or the focus. Some of them will be iconic in their familiarity and message. Others will simply call us back to a time and a place where sheep were calmly grazing in your backyard, keeping down the grass in lieu of the now ever present noise of the lawn mower.

Come with me and explore these stories. And remember, sheep can be seen as boring or prophetic -- it's all in how you receive them.



Photo credit: Uploaded by
PStrijards at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1142019

Shepherd's Lane

by Jon McNaughton

Do You Need a Kindle?

Check This Special Offer from Amazon

The Sheep Pig or Babe, the Gallant Pig

by Dick King-Smith

Although a sheep isn't the main character of this story, the flock of sheep in The Sheep Pig is central to the story of the little pig trying to be a sheep dog to make himself too valuable to be eaten.

The sheep in this story feel sorry for Babe and are motherly towards him, agreeing to follow his directions when he herds them. The sheep prefer to have the little pig give his considerate directions rather than be herded by the mean "wolves" who nip at their feet. As a result, Babe becomes famous as a "sheep pig" and wins the local sheep herding trials.

Babe: The Gallant Pig



Although this story was first published with the title The Sheep Pig in Great Britain, it was later published in the U.S. as Babe, the Gallant Pig. The movie that was based on the book bore the simple title Babe.

Heidi

by Joanna Spyri

Heidi

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

This was my favorite book for part of my childhood.

Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb

by James Herriott

James Herriott's tales of being a country vet have warmed the hearts of generations. Many of his stories have been released as children's books that bring to life many charming creatures. This is one about a little lamb who decides to explore the world beyond the fence but then cannot return home.

Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb

Amazon Price: $10.77 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Which Sheep Book Is Your Favorite?

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

What happens when a little orphan girl is forced t more...1 point

Sheep in a Jeep (Read-Along Book & CD) by Nancy E. Shaw

Sheep in a Jeep (Read-Along Book & CD) by Nancy E. Shaw

A flock of hapless sheep drive through the country more...0 points

Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb by James Herriot

Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb by James Herriot

Smudge is an adorable black-and-white lamb, who lives more...0 points

Baa Baa Black Sheep: A Nursery Rhyme About a Black Sheep

Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.
One for my master, one for my dame,
One for the little boy who lives down the lane.
Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.

Sweet Version of Baa Baa Black Sheep

Nursery Rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep Put to Music

Myvoxsongs has a lot of other songs and nursery rhymes on Youtube. After you listen to this one, you may want to check out some of his other songs.
Baa Baa Black Sheep - nursery rhymes and childrens songs
by Myvoxsongs | video info

1,656 ratings | 7,886,383 views
curated content from YouTube

Raising Sheep

Stories from a Sheep Farm

For eight years, my husband and I raised sheep in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. All three of our children were born during this time. They have strong memories of bringing the newborn lambs into the house to warm up by the wood stove when the lambs were born during the chilly January and February nights. Some of these were later rejected by the ewes when they were returned to the barn and so we would need to continue feeding them with a bottle until they were let out into the meadow in the spring. Then we would watch them kick up their legs in a crazy joyful dance, delighting in the freedom of being out in the warm sun.

During this time I wrote a story about a lamb being born which was published in Cricket Magazine.

Sheep Shearing




Buy at AllPosters.com

The Lambs Of Grasmere

A Poem by Christina Rossetti

Loading

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
Whose fleece was white as snow.

Everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went
Everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go!

He followed her to school one day, school one day, school one day,
He followed her to school one day
Which was against the rules.

All the children laughed and played, laughed and played, laughed and played,
All the children laughed and played
To see a lamb at school.

Shepherdess with Her Flock

by Jean-François Millet

Little Bo Peep

Little Bo Peep
Has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them.

Leave them alone
And they'll come home
Wagging their tails behind them.

The Lost Sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is one of God's faithful love for His people. Even when we are lost in our own ignorance and sin, He comes looking for us and is not satisfied until He has found us.

The Lost Sheep


The Lost Sheep Art Print
Soord, Alfred

Buy at AllPosters.com

And Here's a Sheep Tote for Carrying Your Sheep Story Books

Cartoon Sheep or Good Shepherd Sheep

The Lamb

A Poem by William Blake

William Blake poem 'The Lamb' English Language Poetry
by LearnFree2007 | video info

17 ratings | 9,282 views
curated content from YouTube

Music Featuring Sheep

Classical Music or Raffi?

Loading

LED Sheep in Wales

WOW! These Sheep Are Great Artists!

And then there's pure talent! You have to see it to believe it!
Loading

This Sheep Shirt Tells Its Own Tale

Say "Sheep Ship Shirt" 5 Times Fast

Please Click the Thumbs Up

Thank You

This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.

Add this to your lens »

Come Check Out More of My Lenses

Loading

Bookmark and Share This Stories About Sheep Lens

Lamb Stories Touch the Heart

Add this to your lens »

Bookmark and Share

Thanks for Visiting My Sheep Stories Lens

Let Me Know Ewe Were Here! (I know, Bad Pun.)

  • tendermomentsnursery Apr 27, 2012 @ 10:22 am | delete
    sharjah kindergarten school
  • jseven Mar 14, 2012 @ 1:23 am | delete
    I love the cute sheep and often compare to why Jesus called His flock "sheep." I certainly have strayed enough myself and He always rescues me. I love how well you made this lens. Blessed!
  • RobinDM Nov 25, 2011 @ 1:39 pm | delete
    This is very, very sweet. My little will enjoy this very much! Thank you
  • poutine Feb 15, 2011 @ 8:16 am | delete
    Cool presentation.
  • Annamadagan Feb 8, 2011 @ 3:07 pm | delete
    Cute lens! Blessed by a squid angel!
  • Load More

by

sheilamarie

I raised sheep with my husband and sons in the Laurentians Mountains of Quebec during the eighties. Sheep and lambs have always been close to my heart... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Pocket Poems 

One of These Pocket Poems Is Titled "Lamb"

Loading