School Library Journal Starred Review

K-Gr 3-Palatini weaves this tale of two bad wolves "on the lam," as Willy and Wally dress up in sheep's clothing. They disguise themselves as Willimina and Wallanda, Little Bo Peep's lost sheep, and cozy up to the flock. But they've got their eyes on a lamb-chop cookbook while befriending the ewes. However, old Betty Mutton and Meryl Sheep are not so easily fooled and lead the two bad boys into a shearing experience and expose them for the scoun-drels they are. Puns abound in the sidesplitting narrative, and kids will want to chime in on the "Bad, Bad. Really, really bad" refrain. Cole's vibrant artwork captures the fun and adds to the humor. An outstanding read-aloud and a fine collaboration of text and art, this is a surefire hit for all who enjoy fairy-tale variations, fun puns, and a good laugh.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

ALA Booklist (Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CST 2003)

On the run from a kid in a red hooded cape and three small pigs, Willy and Wally, a couple of wolf brothers, decide to disguise themselves as sheep and hide out, as it were, in the middle of lunch--a flock of sheep. Dressed in woolly garb (and house dresses and purses, just like Trudie Ewe and Meryl Sheep), they conduct a very silly dialogue with the flock, who see through their flimsy disguise almost immediately. The bad boys get shorn, and in the last spread, children see them in their skivvies trying to knit warmer coats for themselves. The exaggerated matronly airs of the sheep seem a little dated, and some of the jokes may be aimed more toward adults than the kids, but there's plenty for the target audience, too, especially in the cartoon-style artwork that gathers up every bit of the humor, capitalizing on the wolves in drag.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2004)

When Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs have had enough of Willy and Wally Wolf, these two bad boys disguise themselves as ewes "Willimina" and "Wallanda" and infiltrate a flock of sheep. The sheep catch on to the ruse--resulting in a scene of "shear" lunacy. The story and art are rib-tickling, though some elements (such as characters named Meryl Sheep and Betty Mutton) seem directed at adults.

Kirkus Reviews (Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)

It's a close shave—literally—for two big bad wolves in Palatini's latest hilariously re-spun folktale that's full of punishly good humor. <p>It's a close shave--literally--for two big bad wolves in Palatini's latest hilariously re-spun folktale that's full of <i>punishly </i>good humor. Having escaped from an angry Red Riding Hood and three thoroughly steamed pigs, Willy and Wally Wolf go "on the lam" by disguising themselves in (what else?) sheep's clothing. They may fool new flock mates Trudie Ewe and Meryl Sheep, but canny Betty Mutton, knowing "baa-aa-ad" when she sees it, tricks the hirsute pair into standing in a certain line . . . and suddenly they're being shorn to within a hair of their bare hides. His idea of sheep's clothing including beads, high heels, and loose, brightly patterned housedresses, Cole depicts two decidedly doggy predators unsuccessfully trying to hide their delight at being among so many lambchops on the hoof, but last seen hurriedly knitting woolens to cover their peach-fuzz pelts. Delighted young readers will hope for more appearances from this inept but "Bad . . . bad . . . really, <i>really </i>bad" duo. <i>(Picture book. 6-9)</i></p>