The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

An ingenious animal trio teams up with two ten-year-olds to save the world! The New York Times Book Review called The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck “intoxicating . . . It will be hard for young readers to put down."Hilarious, action-packed, and highly illustrated, this standalone tour de force from acclaimed graphic novelist Matt Phelan is perfect for reluctant readers and for fans of Skunk and Badger and Flora & Ulysses. 

The very first passengers in a hot air balloon were a sheep, a rooster, and a duck in 1783.While hot air balloons are indeed wondrous, ten-year-old Emile doesn’t think all that much about them. He’s too busy being the caretaker of ambassador Benjamin Franklin’s chateau in Paris. Emile loves to clean and maintain order, and he is devoted to his duties. But forces both good and nefarious are after the inventions in Franklin’s notebook, inventions as wondrous, but far more dangerous, than hot air balloons. Soon young Emile finds himself right in the middle of a sinister plot—and right in the middle of the secret headquarters for France’s undercover heroes. That’s right, a certain sheep, rooster, and duck. One is a brilliant inventor, one is a dashing swordsman, and one is a skilled tactician.If Emile can muster his courage and be bold, he may be key to helping the sheep, the rooster, the duck (and a confident young girl named Sophie) save both Franklin and the world.Award-winning author Matt Phelan’s The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck is a highly illustrated adventure full of spies, hijinks, and reimagined historical events. With short chapters, several graphic-novel style spreads, and spot and full-page illustrations, this rip-roaring, surprising story is ideal for reluctant readers, aspiring spies, and fans of Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot.

About the Author

Matt Phelan is the author and illustrator of the novels The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck; Knights vs. Dinosaurs; Knights vs. Monsters; and Knights vs. the End (of Everything); and the picture books Sweater Weather; Turtle Walk; Pignic; and Druthers. He is also the creator of the graphic novels The Storm in the Barn (winner of a Scott O’Dell Award); Around the World; Bluffton; and the New York Times bestseller Snow White. Matt Phelan lives in Pennsylvania.