Book Review: The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck 

By Matt Phelan 

2 Stars 

The Sheep, The Rooster and the Duck is a funny, quirky read that takes place in 18th-century France. The story follows three weird animal companions: a sheep, a rooster, and a duck. Who ride in a hot-air balloon and secretly work behind the scenes to protect humanity from hidden dangers. The entire idea of having three protector animals was definitely creative, and mixing history with fantasy gave the book a unique touch that stood out from typical adventure stories.   

However, I personally did not enjoy this book overall. For one thing, it was very short, which made it feel rushed and flat in places where it could have been more developed. While the idea of three animal heroes is smart, I don't think it was used in the best way, because the story ended feeling boring at times rather than exciting. The artwork was a positive aspect of the book, though it was detailed, colourful, and helped bring life into the story. But as for connecting with the characters, that was much harder. It's difficult to really relate to or feel attached to three animal heroes who spend their time fighting bad guys in a hot-air balloon.   

That said, I think this book is definitely written more for younger readers than for teens. The length, the simplicity of the story, and the overall style make it better suited for kids who might enjoy the quirky idea without needing more depth. For teens, though, it comes across as too short, too flat, and ultimately underwhelming. I found it boring and disappointing to read.   

Reviewed by Hayyan 

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