WOLF IN THE CITY
by Rachel Tilda Wolf ; illustrated by Rachel Tilda Wolf
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
In the center of a “tired” town square, “on the edge of a vast and magnificent city,” stands a statue of a lone white wolf. Wolf is stuck in a rut, observing the daily routines of the residents but ignored by everyone except Pigeon, who poops on her daily. Yearning to live among the majestic statues in the city center, she boards a bus in search of a new perspective. After being rebuffed by the sculptures in the museums and realizing that the monument dedicated to battle might not be her thing, she aimlessly wanders the city, lonely and confused. Wolf sheepishly returns, sparking elation as the residents celebrate the return of their missing statue and making her feel right at home. Debut author/illustrator Wolf (no relation) has crafted a fantastical tale that balances the desire for new experiences with the need to be appreciated. Traveling through brightly colored bustling city scenes, Wolf endures a range of emotions, making her journey all the more relatable to young readers unsure of their place in life. Store signs and local landmarks imply an Italian setting; town residents are diverse in age and skin tone.
A sweetly satisfying reminder that there truly is no place like home.
(Picture book. 4-7)