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
A powerful affirmation for all dads—the good, the flawed, and those doing the best they can.
Dedicating his latest to “caregivers who give what they never got,” Caldecott Honor winner Robinson explores complicated feelings around fatherhood.
From the outset, the book appears to be a standard-issue Father’s Day offering, pairing brief, loving sentiments with images of animals. But it soon becomes clear that Robinson has crafted something much more complex. A frog with tadpoles nestled atop his back (“Dad is here”) is followed by an illustration of an owl leaving the nest (“Dad had to go away”). More contrasts are presented: a seahorse keeping his offspring safe in his pouch (“Dad holds on tight”), two shark pups swimming away from their frenzied-looking patriarch (“Dad need lots of space”). “Dad lets you down and makes mistakes” (a porcupine accidentally jabs his little one), but “Dad picks you up and makes you feel safe” (a lion snuggles his cub). And the human fathers we meet next—diverse in skin tone and ability—are equally multifaceted. Robinson outdoes himself, his bold and richly textured paint and collage artwork popping against the background. His artwork is rife with subtleties for careful readers—for instance, the look of uncertainty in the eyes of the gorilla father described as “strong.” For all its simplicity, this colorful book is laden with meaning, depicting fathers as vulnerable, imperfect, gentle, and empathetic—in a word, deeply human.
A powerful affirmation for all dads—the good, the flawed, and those doing the best they can. (more information on the animals presented) (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
ISBN: 9781250397041
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2026
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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