BIG BAD SHEEP

There’s no obvious audience for this (very) odd import.

The position of Big, Bad Wolf has recently opened up and Karl, an aggressive sheep, decides to apply for it. Accompanied by his kindhearted friend Locke, he wins a probationary period and dons the wolf’s matted fur and fierce fangs. An unpleasant episode of cannibalism, Locke’s unlikely but effective adoption of the role of Hunter, the rescue of the eaten sheep and Karl’s repentance ensue. Most often presented in picture-book format, fractured fairy tales draw on familiar characters and action then add a twist to bring surprise and humor. There are also some novel-length adaptations that play with folk tale motifs to create original, entertaining versions of traditional tales. It can be tricky, though, to engage older readers using what they might consider babyish plots or themes, so the fact that this translation features elements of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Pigs" may give readers pause. Add the challenging vocabulary, arch humor, relative brevity and—true to the original tone of German folktales, some downright gruesome elements—and the ideal (or even intended) audience becomes even more unclear.

While the plot moves briskly and the small black-and-white illustrations support the text effectively, it’s hard to imagine who might enjoy this odd mishmash of fairy-tale tropes and philosophical ponderings. (Fiction. 8-10)