A meaningful, modern fable.
A young wolf seeks guidance from other animals when she’s lost in the forest.
Little Wolf can’t howl right, much to her siblings’ amusement. They tell her she’s adorable, but she’s determined to prove she’s just as fierce as they are. When she turns around and realizes she’s all alone, she’s reminded of her mother’s advice: “If you get lost…find North.” And so Little Wolf sets off in search of that vague place, asking for help along the way. Whale shows her how to swim. Goose confuses her with a warning of the harsh and unforgiving North before teaching her how to fly (well, jump), while Bear sets her straight and teaches her how to fish. Finally, staring up at the night sky, she sees the North Star. Little Wolf finds her footing and her strongest howl, which leads her right back to her pack. The incredible illustrations bring this story roaring to life. The deft use of color and varied perspectives drops readers right into Little Wolf’s dark and wild woods. The artwork is reminiscent of woodblock prints, with bold lines and strong splashes of color. Though the animals are anthropomorphized, their postures are incredibly realistic: Fearful Little Wolf’s ears droop, her tail tucked around her. The geese come in for a dramatic landing, feet spread, wings posed. This story of determination and self-reliance shows that even the littlest out there can summon their biggest voice.
A meaningful, modern fable. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2024
ISBN: 9781958325186
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Marble Press
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
A funny tale about stress and an ever upping ante, with a comforting end.
Something is preventing Owl from falling asleep.
Owl leans back against his white pillow and headboard. “Squeek!” says something underneath the bed. Owl’s never heard that sound before, so he fastens his pink bathrobe and answers the front door. Nobody. It must be the wind; back to bed. Bidding himself goodnight, he climbs into bed—and hears the noise again. Time after time, he pops out of bed seeking the squeaker. Is it in the cupboard? He empties the shelves. Under the floor? He pulls up his floorboards. As Owl’s actions ratchet up—he destroys the roof and smashes the walls, all in search of the squeak—so does his anxiety. Not until he hunkers down in bed under the night sky (his bed is now outdoors, because the house’s roof and walls are gone), frantically clutching his pillow, does he see what readers have seen all along: a small, gray mouse. In simple illustrations with black outlines, textured coloring, and foreshortened perspective, Pizzoli plays mischievously with mouse placement. Sometimes the mouse is behind Owl or just out of his sightline; other times, the mouse is on a solid, orange-colored page across the spread from Owl, which removes him from Owl’s scene in a rather postmodern manner. Is the mouse toying with Owl? Who knows?
A funny tale about stress and an ever upping ante, with a comforting end. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 19, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4847-1275-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2016
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