WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Big Gray Wolf wonders whether to spare the life of a lost rabbit.

Each full moon, the wolves must sing for the moon to ensure good luck on their hunt. Something of a loner, Big Gray Wolf steps away to howl on his own. Amid the sounds of the wolves’ “AAA-WOOO!” he hears a high-pitched “AAA-WAAA!”—and sees a tiny baby bunny. The youngster stops crying and gazes hopefully at Big Gray Wolf, who suddenly has a hard time following the Wolf Rule that “anyone found in the woods after nightfall [is] supposed to be eaten.” Adding to his moral dilemma is a note in the baby’s pocket, offering a “super delicious meal” in exchange for the return of “our dear little Bunkins.” A clever cost-benefit analysis (“What if they just gave him lettuce? Well, perhaps this bunny had a more appetizing brother or sister”) is followed by a hilarious sequence of the wolf braving myriad challenges to return Bunkins to his family—and perhaps to devour the hapless rabbits as well. Maliush’s stylized visuals depict a delightfully anthropomorphized cast, from large-snouted Big Gray Wolf to Bunny, who’s nearly all ears. Her thoughtfully crafted text and art validate kindness and generosity while simultaneously maintaining suspense and keeping anxiety at bay for younger readers. Meanwhile, she also humorously cajoles older readers to ponder complex themes such as questioning societal rules and assumptions and weighing selfishness against altruism.

A perfectly packaged—and perfectly funny—primer on situational ethics.