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Fiction - Animals, Children - Fiction & Literature, Children - Fairy Tales, Myths & Fables
Bad Boys by Margie Palatini — book cover

Bad Boys

by Margie Palatini, Henry Cole
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Overview

They were bad. Oh yes, those boys were real bad.

On the run again, wolves Willy and Wally have the perfect plan.

Cleverly disguised in womanly wool-wear, they slip into the sheep flock -- a hide-out "on the lam." A foolproof plan indeed . . . especially for securing a lamb chop or two. But when those bad boys -- rather, Willimina and Wallanda -- meet their match in the form of three savvy sheep, the truth is only a close shave away.

Margie Palatini and Henry Cole, the team behind the hilarious moosetache and mooseltoe, have created a madcap fairy-tale read-aloud sure to entertain young readers.

Two hungry wolves in disguise attempt to raid a sheep farm.

Synopsis

Wally and Willy are on the lam again. But as Willimina and Wallanda, they're free and clear . . . or are they? These cleverly disguised wolves think they can fool an entire flock with their womanly wool-wear, but three savvy sheep expose their plan. It looks like another close shave for these baa-aad boys!

Publishers Weekly

Two wolves "go on the lam," dressing as sheep and infiltrating a flock. "Palatini's flair for puns and arch repartee shines through every exchange," said PW's starred review. "The ever-waggish Cole advances the plot with his own steady stream of visual humor." Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

About the Author, Margie Palatini

Margie Palatini is the author of many outrageously funny books for children, including Piggie Pie!, illustrated by Howard Fine; Moosetache, Mooseltoe, and the Bad Boys series, all illustrated by Henry Cole; The Cheese, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher; No Biting, Louise, illustrated by Matthew Reinhart; and Gorgonzola, illustrated by Tim Bowers. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

Reviews

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Editorials

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The wordplay flies fast and thick throughout this text and it’s dead–on for a young audience.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The wordplay flies fast and thick throughout this text and it’s dead–on for a young audience.

Publishers Weekly

Two wolves "go on the lam," dressing as sheep and infiltrating a flock. "Palatini's flair for puns and arch repartee shines through every exchange," said PW's starred review. "The ever-waggish Cole advances the plot with his own steady stream of visual humor." Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

Those "really bad boys," Willy and Wally Wolf, on the run from Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, decide the perfect hideout is with a flock of sheep, where "eats were included." Palatini's puns fly everywhere (one flock member is Meryl Sheep) as Willy and Wally try to fool the other ewes while restraining their appetites. Clever Betty Mutton, however, leads them to the shearing, where they are embarrassingly exposed. After their "close shave," they have a long wait until their hair grows back. Cole's jolly colored drawings keep the background simple so that the gestures and expression of the characters remain front and center. Betty Mutton is more than a match for the Bad Boys with her proper string of pearls and pill-box hat. The verbal and visual slapstick fun is really for all ages. 2003, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 4 to 8.
— Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Palatini weaves this tale of two bad wolves "on the lam," as Willy and Wally dress up in sheep's clothing. They disguise themselves as Willimina and Wallanda, Little Bo Peep's lost sheep, and cozy up to the flock. But they've got their eyes on a lamb-chop cookbook while befriending the ewes. However, old Betty Mutton and Meryl Sheep are not so easily fooled and lead the two bad boys into a shearing experience and expose them for the scoun-drels they are. Puns abound in the sidesplitting narrative, and kids will want to chime in on the "Bad, Bad. Really, really bad" refrain. Cole's vibrant artwork captures the fun and adds to the humor. An outstanding read-aloud and a fine collaboration of text and art, this is a surefire hit for all who enjoy fairy-tale variations, fun puns, and a good laugh.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

It's a close shave-literally-for two big bad wolves in Palatini's latest hilariously re-spun folktale that's full of punishly good humor. Having escaped from an angry Red Riding Hood and three thoroughly steamed pigs, Willy and Wally Wolf go "on the lam" by disguising themselves in (what else?) sheep's clothing. They may fool new flock mates Trudie Ewe and Meryl Sheep, but canny Betty Mutton, knowing "baa-aa-ad" when she sees it, tricks the hirsute pair into standing in a certain line . . . and suddenly they're being shorn to within a hair of their bare hides. His idea of sheep's clothing including beads, high heels, and loose, brightly patterned housedresses, Cole depicts two decidedly doggy predators unsuccessfully trying to hide their delight at being among so many lambchops on the hoof, but last seen hurriedly knitting woolens to cover their peach-fuzz pelts. Delighted young readers will hope for more appearances from this inept but "Bad . . . bad . . . really, really bad" duo. (Picture book. 6-9)

The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books

“The wordplay flies fast and thick throughout this text and it’s deadon for a young audience.

Book Details

Published
August 1, 2006
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Pages
40
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780060001049

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