The Scallywags
Starred Review.Kindergarten-Grade 3—"It's the same old story. Wolves are crusty, lazy, and mean. They howl, they chase, and they make a mess. We know all about big bad wolves and their nasty ways…Don't we?" The Scallywags are so irritating that after they ruin the animals' photo session, the bears, pigs, and sheep, etc., decide not to invite them to do things together anymore. The chastened wolves resolve to learn manners but completely overdo it: they are so changed that their friends do not recognize them—in fact, the animals start to wish they had the old Scallywags back. This hilarious story is accompanied by equally lively and humorous pictures that fill the pages with images worthy of close perusal. Each of the slovenly wolves has a distinct personality, as do the other animals. The spread of them attempting to hide while spying on their friends to learn good behavior is wonderful. The book's format sets the mood well with words scattered over the pages in different sizes to emphasize the fun. A thoroughly delightful romp.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.