“In Matt Phelan’s up-tempo “The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck,". . . three 18th-century French animal aeronauts also happen to be the most extraordinary secret agents in the world . . . Without breaking a sweat, Phelan spins an intoxicating yarn featuring secret societies, swordplay and spycraft. . . . A parade of historical personalities figure prominently in the plot and add to the fun. . . . It will be hard for young readers to put down.” — New York Times Book Review

“Farm animals and French children unite to save the fledgling United States from a scheming mastermind in this airy 18th-century adventure. . . . In a mix of prose and profuse graphite drawings that break into mostly wordless sequential panels for action scenes, Phelan lays out a rousing series of chases, clashes, ambushes, and rescues both on and above the ground on the way to a triumphant outcome. . . . A grand, giddy, and, at times, literally soaring tale.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Phelan offers a delightful historical re-imagining, centering animals as spies. . . . Diplomat Benjamin Franklin resides in France, working on inventions . . . When Franklin’s drawings fall into the hands of evil Count Cagliostro, it’s up to the spies—sheep Bernadette, duck Jean-Luc, and masked rooster Pierre (aka Bête Noire, the Scourge of the Underworld)—as well as their compatriot Sophie and Franklin’s trusty 10-year-old servant Emile, to save the day. . . . This amusing, fast-paced tale of land, sky, and spies will easily draw in reluctant readers.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Ten-year-old Emile lives a staid but satisfying life as a house servant in eighteenth-century France . . . and when Emile catches a mouse seemingly spying on his employer (clutching a tiny notebook and pencil in his paws), the boy follows the rodent to the secret lair of France’s most revered undercover guardians. . . . Incredibly creative and equally silly, mixing historical figures and locations with offbeat humor and adventure. There are outrageous inventions, whimsical secret societies, and dastardly villains . . . A little bit of history, a touch of mystery, and heaps of fun.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Benjamin Franklin, lingering in France after America’s Revolution, has been scribbling notes and illustrations for a heat ray to be mounted on a hot air balloon, and there are spies bent on purloining said notes for nefarious purposes . . . Wordless sequential art brings flashes of real charm, and readers looking for more whimsy than realism will enjoy this as a history-inspired romp.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Readers will adventure with the characters through sinister plots and awkward and humorous situations as they work to outsmart the villains . . . This extraordinary group of animal spies is brought to life through witty dialogue, and the graphic novel–type illustrations are a huge part of the storytelling. . . . It is a story of friendship and bravery, and a celebration of history. A fun, fast-paced adventure with tons of historical references and witty humor. Great for all readers and as a classroom read-aloud.”
— School Library Journal