Vern and Lettuce

Lettuce is from a large family of rabbits and Vern the sheep spends his days as groundskeeper of Pickle Rye Park trying to combat the furry menace of moles. Think of Vern and Lettuce as the comic strip equivalent of Shaun the Sheep, not just because there's a sheep in it but because it has the same wry humour that young kids will get whilst touching on subjects (that they'll have picked up by osmosis however diligently you've shielded their delicate little minds) from global warming and carbon foot (or hoof)prints to prejudice and discrimination that infuse these short tales with an underlying moral angle. And if that goes over the heads of your kids, there's enough poo and bad smells laced throughout the stories to keep them giggling.

From the pages of The DFC, Vern and Lettuce is fabulous fun for youngsters and the ongoing storyline of Lettuce and Vern's search for stardom that takes up the latter half of the book has enough twists and turns to keep adults interested. Writer/artist Sarah McIntyre has created a witty and delightful series—the stories engaging and cute without being saccharine and the artwork clear and appealing—that's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Vern and Lettuce by Sarah McIntyre. David Fickling Books ISBN 978-0385619073, 30 September 2010.