Wolves by Emily Gravett, Emily Gravett (Illustrator)

From Barnes & Noble

This imaginative, cleverly illustrated picture book follows a rabbit who goes to his local "burrowing" library to check out a book on wolves. As he immerses himself in the book, he fails to notice that the characters have actually come alive. Wolves follow the bunny everywhere until, in a final moment of jeopardy, readers see only the book that our hero was reading, slashed to bits. Filled with factual information about wolves, lots of sly humor, a reassuring alternate ending, and expressive, mixed-media art, this book delivers on many levels -- and will appeal to all kinds of kids.

From the Publisher

WOLVES

What do wolves really like to eat? It isn't little girls in red hoods.

Rabbits shouldn't believe what they read in fairy tales,but this book has the facts.

(This book follows the National Carroticulum.)

Children's Literature

Wolves have a bad reputation in traditional folktales. But our curious young rabbit hero seems to be seeking only factual information from the book he checks out from the library. As he begins to read, two parallel visual stories fill the double pages. Our rabbit becomes absorbed in the informative text he holds, while the open book itself reveals its text and illustration alongside of him. On the next spread it looms larger behind him, while suddenly a hooded wolf peers at him from behind the book. Next, the rabbit reads the book intently; behind him we see a menacing wolf depicted on a page telling where wolves roam. On the next spread, the tiny rabbit and book are dwarfed by huge wolf legs and "sharp claws." As the rabbit reads on about tails, dense fur, powerful teeth, and jaws, he is then seen walking along the nose of a huge, salivating wolf, knife and fork at the ready. Suddenly the wide-eyed rabbit closes the book, centered between the wolf's eyes, made aware of what wolves eat. A dreadful end seems evident from the clawed and chewed book on the next spread. But we are reassured, as the author slyly offers an alternative and amusing happy ending. Added fun are the postcards and letters sent to the rabbit on the title and final pages. Included is a take-out flyer from a "Carrotenese" restaurant, the Burrowed Wok. A small, circular note from "your local library" emphasizes the humorous intent. The visual contrast between the roughly drawn charcoal wolves and the plump, off-white bunny helps create a growing tension. The illustration for the alternate ending, produced with torn bits of rabbit/wolf drawings assembled like a collage, defuses the tension and entices another reading.Lift the jacket to see a duplicate of the book the rabbit is reading inside.

School Library Journal

Gr 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 borrows Wolves by 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, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

With a nod to David Wiesner's classic, The Three Pigs (2001), newcomer Gravett creates a postmodern story that can easily be enjoyed by a less sophisticated audience. A rabbit checks out a book of information on wolves from the library. As he reads, absorbed, he fails to notice a wolf stepping out of the book, ever larger and more menacing. Wolves "have bushy tails," reads Rabbit, while trodding unaware on the wolf's tail. The wolf creeps up on the feckless bunny until Rabbit comes upon the information that wolves eat rabbits! The rabbit is bug-eyed with alarm, while the consummate page-turn reveals the library book clawed to shreds . . . the rabbit gone. Never fear, delicate readers, there is an alternate ending in which the rabbit and the wolf, who is a vegetarian, share a sandwich. Like many postmodern picture books, the mixed-media illustrations call attention to the book itself, and establish an ironic relationship between the deadpan text and the endearingly expressive rabbit stalked by the slavering wolf. Brilliant fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

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