New Picture Book Exalts the Dedicated Service of Sheep

Sheep live a quiet existence, they work as self-propelled lawn mowers and weed eaters, eating away invasive flora without the need of costly herbicides or machinery. Of course, they are also handy sources of wool, an essential material for clothing. Carmela Snelbaker's Thank You For Your Service, Sheep! is a delightfully illustrated picture book that uses rhymes and images to portray the dutiful service of these faithful creatures, and how national icons put their abilities to good use in pivotal moments of history.

Snelbaker infuses her work with entertaining trivia tidbits of little known facts regarding sheep, such as how, during 1914 to 1921, in President Woodrow Wilson's administration, sheep grazed on the White House lawn, and helped with the facility's expenses by trimming the grass, and providing 100 pounds of wool that was auctioned to the Red Cross. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were also shepherds, and kept sheep at their private homes. Other interesting facts include sheep's role in preventing wildfires by keeping the vegetation down in the areas between the wilderness and urban communities, while the wool they produce is naturally flame resistant and is used in protective clothing.

Thank You For Your Service, Sheep! is a rhyming lyric of a number of other fun and interesting facts about sheep and the wool that they provide for humans. Snelbaker has also included photos and information about a very special pet of hers that she refers to as her "therapy sheep."

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About the Author
Carmela Snelbaker lives in Pa. Following her parents' example, she learned to love nature and grew up taking care of an assortment of pets. Her dad, who grew up on a farm, was always ready to teach her how to help the baby pigeon that fell from the nest high on the barn roof, or the bunny who was separated from mom and siblings. He assisted the author in tending them until they were old enough to eat on their own and no longer needed their help. This trend of finding pets in need continues to happen in Snelbaker's adult life. In her travels, as an aide to adults with disabilities, the author seems to keep meeting pets in need of a home for various reasons. This is how Snelbaker was introduced to Moses, the sheep pictured in her book. Because of Moses, she learned to spin wool into yarn and appreciate the many uses for wool in everyday life. These past and current day uses for wool is what Snelbaker shares in her book.

Thank You For Your Service, Sheep! * by Carmela Snelbaker
Publication Date: January 30, 2013
Picture Book; $21.99; 32 pages; 978-1-4797-4661-3
Picture Book Hardcover; $31.99; 32 pages; 978-1-4797-4660-6

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