We Adopted a Baby Lamb

In this picture book equivalent to a show-and-tell presentation, a child named Ila introduces Albert, an orphaned lamb. Addressing the reader directly, she explains how her family came to adopt him (“He was so cute that I knew my parents would have to say yes”) and how they care for him—the supplies necessary, steps for feeding, and why stocking up on both diapers and towels is crucial for the kitchen-dwelling animal. Smith, the real-life Ila’s mother, employs straightforward prose to relay their true experiences, sharing both the delights of living with a lamb and the behind-the-scenes labor. A cheerful palette of bright yellow with red accents highlights Smith’s digitally rendered illustrations, which have a doodle-y, dot-eyed sweetness. Cartoonish images of the lamb’s antics, including burying himself headfirst in a garbage can, will elicit smiles. Tense changes are inconsistent, and an abrupt ending may disrupt readers’ enjoyment, but this is a sweet narrative nonfiction primer on lamb ownership. Back matter includes photos of the real Albert. Ages 3–7. (Feb.)