Parents' Guide to

Mouton's Impossible Dream

By Mary LeCompte, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 2+

One-of-a-kind story of a dream fulfilled.

Book Anik McGrory Picture Book 2000
Mouton's Impossible Dream Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Mouton is a sheep who dreams of flying. One day, just by accident, her dream comes true! Join the determined Mouton and her friends, Canard the duck and Cocorico the nervous and doubtful rooster, on their history-making hot-air-balloon flight. This one-of-a-kind story of a dream fulfilled has kids wanting to hear it again and again.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Part of this book's charm is its surprise ending. At the back of the book, a historical note reveals that MOUTON'S IMPOSSIBLE DREAM is based on the true story of the world's first "passengered" flight of 1783, in which a sheep, a duck, and a rooster flew in a hot-air balloon in Paris.

The author adds a delightful bit of imagination, emotion, and charm to the story and illustrations. Flights of fancy themselves, the illustrations are bright, colorful images that fill the pages. Perspectives vary from ground level to bird's-eye views, and just about everything in between -- including a delightful knee-high view of the king and queen from the animals' perspective and a dreamy representation of Mouton in flight that will make readers feel as if they're flying through the clouds right alongside her. Some illustrations include hand-lettered phrases in French.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the excitement of fulfilling a dream. They also can talk about how the animals were used to test flying for humans and give examples of other ways animals help humans. How do people help animals?

Book Details

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