Little Wise Wolf

Starred review from August 1, 2020

Gr 2-4-Not everything can be learned from books! The Little Wise Wolf received this name from the other forest animals because he seems to know everything. All day long he reads big books, studies the stars, and accumulates even more knowledge. He is so busy that when other animals come to seek his counsel, Little Wise Wolf's door remains closed. One day, the king's crow comes to Little Wise Wolf and summons him to the ill king's bedside. Though initially resistant, Little Wise Wolf ultimately packs up his things and sets off to aid the king. Along the way, Little Wise Wolf encounters unexpected obstacles; with the help of his friends, he learns what wisdom truly is. Translated from its original Dutch, this story feels like a fable from Aesop. The strong moral, and the journey to find it, form the backbone of this story, which is told through the perspective of animals with human characteristics. A blend of description and dialogue propel the tale from one scene to the next. The text itself is laid against a backdrop of rich textures, each illustration layered in color to give the appearance of dimension and depth. The pages are dominated by detailed images in a variety of hues, providing ample visual stimulus to accompany the story itself. VERDICT An excellent, briskly modern addition to collections of fables and morality tales.-Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2020
A little wolf learns there is more to life than accumulating knowledge in this Canadian import first published in the Netherlands. Little Wise Wolf is known for his love of reading big books and for his knowledge. But when the other animals in the forest come to him with their questions--"What do butterflies eat?"; "How many stars are in the sky?"--Little Wise Wolf doesn't open his door. He tells himself he has too much to learn, too many big books to read, to take time to help. Then one day, the king's crow summons him to the castle to heal the ailing king, and he reluctantly begins the long journey to the castle. Unbeknownst to him, his animal neighbors are following, and when Little Wise Wolf gets weary and becomes lost, they rescue him with a tent and food and a fire. Humbled by their gestures of compassion and friendship, Little Wise Wolf realizes that maybe he isn't so wise after all. This endearing story is exquisite on many levels. The text is crisp and warm, and the illustrations, composed of translucent layers of earthy tones that evoke a textural, harmonious atmosphere, are sublime. There's a bit of hide-and-seek going on with placement of the animals that will intrigue, and the flashes of bright red--most prominently in Little Wise Wolf's boots--are brilliantly conceived visual accents to keep the eye engaged. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.7-by-23.4-inch double-page spreads viewed at 26% of actual size.) Truly wonderful in all aspects. (Picture book. 3-8)

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September 1, 2020
Preschool-G The little wolf adores reading so much that his fellow forest dwellers nickname him Little Wise Wolf, and while he takes that title as a badge of honor, the wolf insists he has no time for the queries of his animal neighbors. With so many new tomes to read, there's simply no time for friendship! The overzealous student only pulls himself away from reading when the king summons the wolf to heal him. As the little wolf struggles to navigate the long, arduous journey, he loses confidence in his prized knowledge, but with help from his community, Little Wise Wolf makes it to the king and learns that perhaps there's more to life than books. The story imparts the wisdom of aiming for balance in life, with Little Wise Wolf's growth coming naturally and gently, but Siemensma's charmingly unconventional artwork steals the show. The muted illustrations deftly depict the wolf's cozy forest home, and every spread includes layers of darling detail. A beautiful testament to the joys of learning and community.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2021
"Far away, on the other side of the mountains, there lived a little wolf," begins this enticing tale. This wolf spends so much time reading books that he is known to the other animals as "Little Wise Wolf." Selfish with his time and knowledge, however, Little Wise Wolf turns away those who ask for help. Then, he is summoned to the castle to heal the ailing king. His arduous journey over the mountains is captured in textured illustrations of an enchanting landscape that becomes increasingly difficult to navigate. Crossing steep mountains, he must abandon his bicycle, he loses a boot (his bright red footwear stands out against the shadowy muted colors of the pictures), and it begins to rain. "I'm cold. My stomach's rumbling. My feet hurt. And I'm lost. Maybe I'm not as wise as everyone says." Little Wise Wolf's pride and confidence finally give way to exhaustion, and he gratefully accepts the other animals' offers of help, marking a turning point in his understanding of wisdom and its virtues as well as in his treatment of others. This thought-provoking book's warm, comforting tone conjures up that of a gifted storyteller and pairs effortlessly with the rich, absorbing art.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2021
"Far away, on the other side of the mountains, there lived a little wolf," begins this enticing tale. This wolf spends so much time reading books that he is known to the other animals as "Little Wise Wolf." Selfish with his time and knowledge, however, Little Wise Wolf turns away those who ask for help. Then, he is summoned to the castle to heal the ailing king. His arduous journey over the mountains is captured in textured illustrations of an enchanting landscape that becomes increasingly difficult to navigate. Crossing steep mountains, he must abandon his bicycle, he loses a boot (his bright red footwear stands out against the shadowy muted colors of the pictures), and it begins to rain. "I'm cold. My stomach's rumbling. My feet hurt. And I'm lost. Maybe I'm not as wise as everyone says." Little Wise Wolf's pride and confidence finally give way to exhaustion, and he gratefully accepts the other animals' offers of help, marking a turning point in his understanding of wisdom and its virtues as well as in his treatment of others. This thought-provoking book's warm, comforting tone conjures up that of a gifted storyteller and pairs effortlessly with the rich, absorbing art. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)