71 Sheep Try Soccer by Pablo Albo

Published: 1st October 2017
Publisher: Berbay Publishing
Illustrator: Raúl Nieto Guridi
Translator: Michael Sedunary
Pages: 36
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Sheep aren’t exactly renowned for their organisation skills, so when 71 sheep arrange a game of soccer, things are always going to get interesting. When their ball gets stuck in a tree, how will all the sheep cooperate to retrieve it? And when an unexpected danger presents itself, how will the sheep organise themselves to stay safe—and finish their game of soccer?

I don’t know what kind of story I expect from this title but I loved what Albo has created. When 71 sheep decide they want to play soccer not much will stand in their way, and if there are interruptions, they will adapt and reconvene in the best ways. This is a translation from the original Spanish and the fact it is so funny and the humour remains is a testament to Sedunary’s skills.

There’re only a few words in this story but not much needs to be said to gather meaning and the illustrations add another layer of storytelling. Guridi has done a great job capturing the quirkiness and the humour of the book; the absurdity of the story is amazing and seeing it play out in pictures makes it that much more enjoyable. This is definitely a book where the illustrations are as important and as enjoyable as the words and the experience of them together only builds up your delight as you read, eager to find out whether the sheep will ever get to play their game.

One of the best things I did was pick up this book because it was absolutely fabulous to read. It is funny, clever, incredibly absurd but also entirely brilliant.

You can purchase 71 Sheep Try Soccer via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust