Review - Wilfred

Wilfred
by Ryan T. Higgins
Date: 2013
Publisher: Dial Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

In the tradition of Calvin & Hobbes and Dr. Seuss comes a new story of unlikely friendship.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a humongous and hairy giant named Wilfred. Whenever people saw him, they ran away, which made life very lonely for Wilfred. That is, until he found himself in a rather unusual town where one brave little boy saw something special in the timid giant. So begins a story of friendship and sacrifice that will remind readers just how important one voice – no matter how small – can be.

In this moving debut, Ryan Higgins shows his knack for blending humor and heart, and gives Lorax fans an unforgettable new hero.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Another winner from Ryan T. Higgins!

This is actually his debut, but it's just as fun and sweet as some of his later books. There's a big hairy giant named Wilfred who's kind of lonely. There's a town full of people who have no hair. When Wilfred tries to make friends, only one little bald boy sticks around. Wilfred does pretty much whatever the boy asks him to do, and they have some fun, with Wilfred promising to come back so they can play some more.

But the rest of the bald townspeople want hair (I love how goofy this story is!) so they tell Wilfred he can't be big and hairy. Since there's nothing he can do about being big, he lets them take all his hair, which they make into wigs for themselves. Then he's cold, and he doesn't come back to play... so the boy goes in search of his friend.

Everything turns out all right in the end, of course. The illustrations are kind of hilarious (in the same style as those in We Don't Eat Our Classmates). The expressions on Wilfred's face are particularly enjoyable.

This is a great story with a sweet message. Just because someone is kind doesn't mean you should take advantage of them. It's not really a message I've seen much in children's literature (except for maybe in The Giving Tree, but that book is more depressing than heartwarming).

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5