Review - Little Wise Wolf

Little Wise Wolf
by Gijs van der Hammen
illustrated by Hanneke Siemensma
Date: 2020
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Little Wise Wolf has time for only one thing: reading books. All right, two things: at night he studies the stars. When the other animals come to him to get answers to their difficult questions, Little Wise Wolf has no time for that. Until one day, a raven appears. The king turns out to be seriously ill, and Little Wise Wolf is called on to use his knowledge to make him better again. On the way to the palace it turns out that, although Little Wise Wolf may know a lot about the things he has read in his books, and seen in the stars, he has a lot to learn about the outside world.

A magnificent story about a little wolf, who slowly realises he may not be as wise as he thinks he is, and that the world is much bigger than that contained within his books.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm not always impressed with translated picture books. But Little Wise Wolf seems to have survived being translated from the Dutch with most of its charm and message intact.

This is the story of a little wolf who spends so much time studying that he has no time for anything else (or so he thinks). When the king falls ill, he sends for Little Wise Wolf to cure him. The little wolf is hesitant at first; he'd rather stay at home and read more books. But he can't refuse the king, and so he begins his journey. As it turns out, shutting yourself in with books all day doesn't make you much of a navigator, and the little wolf repeatedly gets lost. But his friends show him a kindness and teach him a lesson that will last even after the journey is over.

The scrawled-looking illustrations are kind of cute (even though I'm not always a fan of this style). There's plenty to look at in the pictures. And there's something rather amusing about the wolf in his bright red boots and turquoise satchel.

The message is subtle but clear, and the text is nice and neat. Overall, I would recommend this book, especially for those looking for picture books with messages about kindness and empathy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5