Book Review of If Sheep Pulled the Sleigh
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The Children’s Book Review
If Sheep Pulled the Sleigh
Written by Bill Barnsley
Illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum
Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Rooftop Press (2026) | ISBN: 978-1571024961
What to Expect: Problem-solving, animals, Christmas, teamwork, and unique identities.
On Christmas Eve, Santa can’t help but wonder: what if his reindeer weren’t the ones pulling the sleigh?
Let’s follow along as he imagines a parade of hopeful substitutes, each more unlikely than the last! Sheep are eager to help, but Santa might fall asleep trying to count them before takeoff. Goats charge in with confidence—but what if they butt Santa on the butt?! Frogs leap valiantly, but there’s always the possibility they might be princes in disguise. Robots power up, gleaming with promise—until their batteries run out. The conclusion to Santa’s ponderings? There are lots of other options for who could pull his sleigh, but reindeer remain the best!
This fun and fanciful story follows a simple, satisfying structure. On each successive page, readers imagine a reindeer replacement and then imagine how their unique characteristics might cause chaos. Young readers are sure to delight in guessing how each creature will fumble the job.
The rhyming text moves with a bouncy, read-aloud rhythm that rewards repeat readings without ever feeling forced. The cartoon illustrations underscore the humor in the text, sneaking in visual jokes that reward close observation—from a sneak peek at Santa’s underpants after he’s been butted by a goat to the no-parking sign he stalls in front of when his robots run out of batteries. The book never mocks its unlikely helpers; each gets a genuine moment of effort before the joke lands, which keeps the humor warm rather than unkind.
Perfect for read-aloud sessions, the book is for kids who love counting down to Christmas and can’t resist a joke.
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About the Author
Bill Barnsley has always enjoyed spinning tall tales, especially for children who live in a world of imagination and pretend. He grew up in a military family, cared for his children, and became a writer, storyteller, coach, scout leader, and teacher. Recently, those stories have been about elves, reindeer, and cookies. Jude, his constant companion, brings joy to everything he does. She is his sparkle.
About the Illustrator
Mariano Epelbaum is a master storyteller. His illustrations breathe life into characters and narratives without writing a single word. His art captivates imaginations with unspoken stories. Mariano’s work on the animated feature “Underdogs,” directed by the Oscar-winning Juan José Campanella, has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2014 Goya Prize for Best Animated Feature Film, the Grand Prize Feature at the 2014 New York International Children’s Film Festival, and the Best Animation Film at the 2014 Platino Awards for Iberoamerican Cinema.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of If Sheep Pulled the Sleigh. Learn more about getting a book review …
