Buy the Book! Barnaby the Runaway Sheep, a picture book by Maria Antonia

Available Now!

Paraclete Amazon Barnes & Noble Indiebound Books-A-Million Christianbook

Canadian Bookstores!

Amazon.ca Heritage Books


Editorial Reviews

"A delightfully refreshing take on a popular, perennial tale." — Glenys Nellist, author of the Love Letters from God and Good News series

"In this charming tale, Barnaby is oh-so-relatable as he learns to trust his beloved shepherd." — Janet Sumner Johnson, award-winning author of Help Wanted: Must Love Books

"With frolicsome text by Maria Antonia and adorable illustrations by Sayani Mukherjee, Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a sure-to-please take on a beloved parable about a little lamb who’s over-the-top nervous about getting his first woolly haircut." — Laura Sassi, author of multiple books for young children including the My Tender Heart series, Goodnight Ark, and more.

"A thoughtful and charming story and an absolute delight to read aloud. Perfect for everyday story time." — Rebecca J. Gomez, author of Federico and the Wolf




BARNABY THE RUNAWAY SHEEP

Author: Maria Antonia
Illustrator: Sayani Mukherjee
Publisher: Paraclete Press
For Children ages 3-8

Barnaby loves life on the farm, except for when his shepherds want to snip, snip, snip away his wool. As the clippers draw near, Barnaby's fears bubble up like a storm. Why does anyone need his wool? Follow Barnaby on a journey of courage and discovery as he learns to trust his shepherds.

Join Barnaby as he bravely flees into the unknown, seeking refuge in a dark cave. But with his wool growing thicker and his hunger gnawing at him, Barnaby soon realizes that freedom isn’t as sweet as he thought. He begins to miss the comfort of his home, the warmth of his flock, and the loving care of his shepherds.

As the cold nights grow longer and loneliness settles in, Barnaby’s heart longs for the familiarity of his flock and the love of those who care for him. Just when he feels lost and alone, a familiar call breaks the silence. Could it be his shepherds searching for him?

Filled with vibrant illustrations by Sayani Mukherjee, Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a charming tale of courage, homecoming, and the unconditional love that awaits us all. This beautifully illustrated children’s book captures the essence of trust, faith, and friendship, making it a perfect addition to any family’s library.


Why readers love Barnaby the Runaway Sheep!

Book Trailer Goodreads





Barnaby celebrated with his wiggle dance.

Barnaby does his wiggle dance.
Barnaby just wants to go home!
Barnaby with all the other sheep.

Children's Author Maria Antonia visits schools to talk about writing

Now Booking Author Visits!

Get students excited about reading! Children's Author Maria Antonia is booking both in-person and virtual author visits. If you're a teacher or libarian, please click on the button below for more information.

An author visit is more than just storytime! It's an opportunity to see the face behind all the words that go into creating a book. It can motivate students to write their own stories. As teachers, you can give a boost to your school’s writing program. Students get to interact with a published author in a fun way.

WHAT TEACHERS HAVE SAID: "Engaging, Playful, and Memorable! [Maria Antonia's] friendly presence, touching stories, and personal interactions are sure to create fond memories." — Mrs. Rachel Bartley, Kindergarten Teacher

More Info


Get Your FREE PDF Activities!

When you sign up for my newsletter, I’ll send you a Free Welcome Gift. Simply sign up here. My newsletter subscribers are among the first to ...

Newsletter Sign Up