Cain, Sheridan 1952–

Personal

Born 1952, in England.

Addresses

Home—Canvey Island, Essex, England.

Career

Children's book author.

Writings

Look out for the Big Bad Fish!, illustrated by Tanya Linch, Little Tiger Press (Waukesha, WI), 1998.

Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit?, illustrated by Jo Kelly, Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Little Turtle and the Song of the Sea, illustrated by Norma Burgin, Crocodile Books (New York, NY), 2000.

The Crunching, Munching Caterpillar, illustrated by Jack Tickle, Tiger Tales (London, England), 2000, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 2003.

Run Little Fawn, Run!, illustrated by Gavin Rowe, Little Tiger (London, England), 2001.

The Teeny Weeny Tadpole, illustrated by Jack Tickle, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 2005.

By the Light of the Moon, illustrated by Gaby Hansen, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 2007.

Adaptations

The Crunching Munching Caterpillar and The Teeny Weeny Tadpole were adapted as audiobooks and board books by Little Tiger Press.

Sidelights

An English writer, Sheridan Cain is the author of simple texts that have been transformed into entertaining picture books through the work of illustrators such as Jo Kelly, and Norma Burgin, and Jane Chapman working under the whimsical pseudonym Jack Tickle. Cain specializes in simple stories featuring young animal characters that deal with toddler-like situations. In her first book, Look out for the Big Bad Fish!, for example, Tadpole is worried because he is the only one of his animal friends who cannot jump. Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit? focuses on a young rabbit whose wish for a family seems to be answered when a trio of ducklings adopt him as their mother, and Little Turtle and the

Song of the Sea follows newly hatched Turtle as it takes its crucial first steps toward the sea and safety. A mother mouse worries that her young son is not sleeping in the right spot in By the Light of the Moon, while in The Crunching Munching Caterpillar a hungry caterpillar does what it does best—eat!—but grows increasingly lonely as each of its friends spread their wings and fly away.

Reviewing The Crunching Munching Caterpillar for School Library Journal, Piper L. Nyman wrote that "Cain's simple language and Tickle's engaging illustrations make it acceptable for [group] sharing," and Julie Corsaro predicted in Booklist that readers of Look out for the Big Bad Fish! will enjoy "the action and humor of the simple, repetitive, cumulative text." Cain's Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit? was praised by a Publishers Weekly contributor who cited the book's "economical but warm text," which "keeps the story moving" and pairs well with Jo Kelly's energetic illustrations. Noting the story's appeal for toddlers, Booklist critic Lauren Petersen dubbed Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit? "heart-warming" and featuring an engaging "what happens next" premise.

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, January 1, 1998, Lauren Peterson, review of Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit?, p. 822; July, 1998, Julie Corsaro, review of Look out for the Big Bad Fish!, p. 1884.

Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2007, review of By the Light of the Moon.

Publishers Weekly, January 19, 1998, review of Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit?, p. 377; December 18, 2000, review of Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit?, p. 80.

School Library Journal, July, 1998, Sally R. Dow, review of Look out for the Big Bad Fish, p. 71; December, 2000, Betty S. Evans, review of Little Turtle and the Song of the Sea, p. 104; September, 2003, Piper L. Nyman, review of The Crunching Munching Caterpillar, p. 175; May, 2007, Debbie Stewart Hoskins, review of By the Light of the Moon, p. 86.