THE QUEST OF THE WARRIOR SHEEP

The five rare-breed sheep of dear old Ida White’s Eppingham farm are having a good cud chew one afternoon when something strange falls from the heavens and clocks Sal, an officious but well-meaning ewe, on the noggin. She's sure it's the Baaton of Aries, Ram of Rams; it must be returned to him in the North Country before Lambad the Bad gets hold of it. Off they hoof, following the prophecy in the Song of Fleece. Hot on their tails is geeky human Luke, who needs the Baaton—er, cell phone—or the bank funds he illegally shifted on a dare will be discovered. He's closely followed by local UFO-nut Tony, who’s sure the sheep have been abducted and modified by aliens, and Ida and her grandson who just want their beloved ovine friends home safe. The first adventure (with another on the way) of the Warrior Sheep by the British husband-and-wife pair is planted firmly in Wallace and Gromit country. Young fans of deadpan Brit humor will enjoy this fleecy romp, though it may take some time before they fully understand all of the cultural witticisms. (Animal fantasy. 8-12)