Wolves
Starred Review.Grade 1-3–This imaginative, cleverly designed story unfolds in a delectable blend of spare text and eloquent multimedia illustrations. A textured welcome mat serves as background for title and publisher information, the pages feel somewhat scratchy, and the wolves are expressively drawn with charcoal pencil. In the story, Rabbit borrowsWolvesby Emily Grrrabbit from the West Bucks Public Burrowing Library and leaves with his nose already stuck in the red book. His long, wavy ears ooze movement. The author ingeniously develops her story on two levels: children will absorb the information that the rabbit is reading–An adult wolf has forty-two teeth–but also enjoy the suspenseful tale of what is happening to the rabbit as he walks along. As a real wolf becomes gradually more threatening, Rabbit becomes progressively smaller. Expressive illustrations show him obliviously walking up a bushy tail onto the back, and then the snout, of a wolf; but it is the uh-oh expression on his face as he slowly realizes that he is in trouble that is so piercingly vivid. The following page depicts a partially eaten book, and no rabbit. However, the author then reassures readers that no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book and thoughtfully provides an alternative ending for sensitive children. This delightful picture book is best shared with children who can appreciate the sly humor.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.