Winter time was ending and spring was around the corner. It was starting to get warmer. Mary, Tom and Tim Woolsey were very excited about the weather changing. They had been inside all winter and they were ready to play outside. They had to wait until all of the rain had dried up. Once it was dry and warmer, Papa Woolsey told them they could go outside to play (after their spring haircuts). Everyone got their spring cuts including Papa, mama and granny Woolsey. The children had so much fun outside. But that very night, it became extremely cold again. It was so cold, papa had to build a fire in the fireplace and mama made a fire in the kitchen stove. When the fires were almost out, everyone went to bed except granny. When they awoke the next morning they found snow on the ground. They were sad that they had all gotten haircuts. The children could not go out to play until, granny gave them new sweateers she had made from their winter coats. Tim, Tom, and Mary were very happy.

I’m not sure if Tomie DePaola did this on purpose (I think he did) but the story Haircuts for the Woolseys is related to another story by Tomie DePaola Charlie Needs A Cloak. The first story is from the sheep’s perspective and the second story is from the Sheppard’s perspective. DePaola only hints to this connection by placing two small images of Charlie-the Sheppard in the Woolseys story. ( )