BAA BAA BLACK BELT
by Gavin Aung Than ; illustrated by Gavin Aung Than
A haughty sheep has a misconstrued view of his martial arts abilities.
With hooves flying in a sprightly jump and a toothy, proud smile on his face, a bipedal sheep shouts out his nickname: “They call me… // Baa Baa Black Belt!” With a deadpan look, another sheep on the farm retorts, “We never call him that.” The martial arts master shows off some of his incredible techniques, accompanied by his reluctant student, a pig named Pork Chop. Alas, when Baa Baa Black Belt attempts to break a piece of wood, he winds up injuring his hoof (immersed in Hamlet, Pork Chop scarcely looks up), and his “spinning BACK KICK” causes a pile-up of cows, each knocking the other over like a row of dominoes. Perhaps Baa Baa Black Belt’s skills aren’t quite up to par, but that doesn’t stop him from striking a winning pose and basking in imagined glory—even if the cows aren’t so amused. Filled with giggle-worthy asides from peripheral farm friends, silly happenstances that play directly against the protagonist’s ego, and goofy, exaggerated cartoon art, this Australian import will have storytime audiences rolling in the aisles (but hopefully not kicking and chopping).
A laugh-inducing look at a puffed-up personality.
(Picture book. 3-6)