Blog Tour & Giveaway: Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep by Anthony Pearson

Beagles and Books is excited to be a part of the blog tour for Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep written by Anthony Pearson and illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris It recently published on October 1, 2018. Special thanks to Two Lions Publishing and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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).

 

This year, my elementary school is focusing on one value or virtue per week to teach and reinforce with students on the daily morning announcements and during daily class meetings.  Since this week’s virtue was cooperation, Eduardo Guardaro, Elite Sheep was the perfect picture book to read aloud to the second grade class that I sponsor for #classroombookaday.  To learn more about #classroombookaday, please click here. 

At the beginning of the story, Eduardo exudes confidence in his ability to handle his very first case on his own.  When Gingerbread Man asks who will be his partner, Eduardo dismisses him firmly stating “I don’t need to work with anyone.”  Protecting adventurous Mary Sawyer from Wolf, Troll, and Witch is hard work but nothing that Eduardo can’t handle.  Don’t forget he is an Elite Sheep.

But even an Elite Sheep get tired especially when it’s three against one. A frustrated and frightened Eduardo finally realizes that he needs help and fast.  After he admits he was wrong and begs the Gingerbread Man for help, Eduardo discovers that his first case was actually a set up which reveals he is lacking one crucial skill-the ability to work as part of a team.When I asked students about the purpose for reading and what is the author trying to teach us as readers, they quickly saw the connection between our virtue of the week and the message of the story.  After reading, we briefly brainstormed how cooperating with others helps us.

As a teacher, I always carefully choose #classroombookaday picture books because I want the text to teach or change students in some way.  What I love about Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep is Anthony Pearson’s hilarious writing is full of sheep puns and told completely through dialogue.  Coupled with Jennifer Morris’ humorous and detailed illustrations, my students were laughing out loud the entire time I read the story.  But through the laughter, they learned the benefits of cooperation and teamwork, which are important skills to be successful in life.

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.

Twitter: @APearson_Writer

About the Illustrator:
Jennifer E. Morris has written and illustrated award-winning picture books and has also illustrated children’s magazines, greeting cards, partyware, and educational materials. She has not illustrated classified documents nor is she a super secret agent. She is, however, the creator of May I Please Have a Cookie? which has infiltrated more than a million homes. If you say “The dove flies at noon,” she may tell you what the ducks recorded on their cameras. Maybe. But most likely not. Jennifer lives with her family in Massachusetts, just a few miles from the little red schoolhouse where “Mary Had a Little Lamb” originated. Read more of her dossier (that’s DAH-see-ay) at www.jenmorris.com.

Twitter: @jemorrisbooks

Enter Our Giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive a copy of Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep, courtesy of Two Lions (U.S. addresses only). Click the link below to enter.  Giveaway begins at Friday, October 12, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. and ends on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11:59 a.m.  Please click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/46a61dc06/?