LOCAL AUTHOR WRITES SHEEP’S TALE FOR KIDS

Annabel’s Dance is the tale of an unusual sheep on a peculiar farm, high in the mountains.

Annabel is no ordinary sheep. She is wiggly and jiggly, mud-puddling messy and refuses to be shorn.

Loud noises hurt her ears and no matter how hard she tries, she just can’t fit in with the mob.

Annabel’s Dance is inspired by the true stories of individual sheep, which escaped shearing since birth.

Four cases have been found to date – in New Zealand, Tasmania and Victoria – where sheep were discovered with six years’ growth of wool.

“This story came to life when I was researching ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders, in an attempt to understand some of the different behaviours of my granddaughter,” she said.

“I wondered that perhaps having supersensitivities, like my granddaughter, was more common than I thought.

“This may even extend to animals and some sheep might not like being shorn.”

It is estimated that one-in-100 people have Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Annabel’s Dance is for them and every person who has never quite “fit in” with the mob.

Illustrated by Lois Bury, Annabel’s Dance is available in bookstores or online at wombatbooks.com.au.