The 108th Sheep

This is a charming, gentle bedtime book, Imai’s soft, sensitive pencil work nicely evoking those last moments before drifting into sleep. This particular child, Nimitz, is having trouble getting off however, due to the fact that she can’t get past number 108 in her sheep counting. Sheep number 108 just can’t quite manage to jump over the bed, despite having undergone the obligatory training. This is holding things up worryingly, so various solutions are proposed by the other numbered sheep as a way forward. Finally, a hole is cut in the headboard of the bed and Number 108 passes successfully through, allowing everyone to get some sleep. The book successfully contradicts the idea that a blaze of primary colour is obligatory in attracting a child’s attention. Judicious use of red as a second colour supports the pencil work on a warm yellow paper. The book concludes with a spectacular fold out spread, presenting a field full of all 108 sheep for a final count-up.