Brian the Brave

Brian is a sheep with white wool and curly horns. He ives on a hillside farm, where he eats grass. When Rosie arrives, Brian is quick to invite her to become his friend. They play chasing games, ‘round and round the fields and over the little hill.’ 

An opportunity for more friends seems possible when Stanley arrives, but Brian is rejected. Will friendships with Tracey and Frank, Cassidy, Hamish and Lou be possible? What is wrong with Brian? Brian is a sheep, and so are the others!

‘Brian the Brave‘ accepts his lot very, very sadly. He recognises feelings of rejection when they are evident in other hillside sheep. He recognises danger when he sees it too… Will he alert his would-be friends? What might they act together?

I love Paul Stewart’s story building. He uses repetition in the text and shaping of the words to indicate emotions and routine. His portrait of Brian is really respectful. We know Brian’s character more than we know his looks, which is an important marker in the story.

Jane Porter is a Bookwagon discovery. We’ve loved her works since Pink Lion and introduced King Otter recently, with delight. Wings, her earlier collaboration with Paul Stewart, is a Bookwagon favourite. It’s all understandable. Rather like Brian, you need to be in the company of these books. They are true ‘forever’, characterful picture book stories.