Wolf in sheep’s clothing – beware of Brenda

Treat abusers nicely and they won’t hurt you is a message being given to four-year-olds in Scotland.

The Scottish Book Trust (SBT) included Brenda is a Sheep in their pack of books given to every Primary 1 child. In a chilling subversion of ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’, a wolf called ‘Brenda’ dons a woolly jumper (which looks very like a dress) and joins a flock of sheep. The sheep learn lots of new games from Brenda, and ‘think that she is probably the best sheep they have ever met’. After Brenda shows them a recipe for mint sauce, the sheep cook up a feast of meals made from grass. Diverted from eating them, Brenda joins in the sheep party because after all ‘Brenda is a sheep’.

Many critics of the book noted that pacifying an abuser to prevent an attack is a common way of life for those who are victims of domestic abuse. The phrase ‘be nice’ is flung at those who campaign for women’s safety.