Ewe and Aye

Ewe, a sheep, and Aye, a lemur (named after an actual species of lemur, the aye-aye) yearn to fly, and they are willing to try anything, no matter how kooky or dubious, to get airborne. Although the two animals are always supportive of one another (“When Eye got into trouble, Aye was there to help. And when Aye got stuck, Ewe came to the rescue”), each is strictly a solo act (Ewe prefers working with wheels, while Aye uses wings). Eventually, they realize that by working together, they can achieve liftoff. This slight story seems intended mostly as a showcase for Ryan’s wordplay (“Ewe got a flat tire, and Aye got flat tired”), which continues in the punny vein of her previous books, Ribbit Rabbit and Moo Hoo. But the real attraction is debut illustrator Ruble—she brings an exuberant energy to each scene, and her purple-driven palette is eye-catching, deepening from lavender to luscious grape as the action moves from day to night. Ages 3–5. Illustrator’s agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary. (Dec.)