Some may favor the proper way to howl, but what if you have a song in your heart that needs to come out? A delightful, disarmingly funny tale for little and big wolves everywhere.
Little Wolf can hardly wait. Tonight he will howl at the moon to the top of the sky. First, Big Wolf demonstrates traditional howling form: AAAAAAAAAAOOOOOooooooooo. Then it’s Little Wolf’s turn. He’s sure he is ready, but when the big moment comes, something happens. Something unexpected, something wild, something unbe-beep-bop-believable! Sisters Laura McGee Kvasnosky and Kate McGee have created a wonderful story about the importance of doing things your own way and being true to your heart when it swells with wildness and joy.
Kvasnosky's story celebrates all that is fresh and original in the creative spirit of children, and her text will be great fun as a read-aloud, especially after some practice. Kvasnosky and McGee's collaborative illustrations are done in gouache resist with digital colorization, a striking technique that particularly emphasizes the black night and the bright moonlight. All double-page spreads, the illustrations successfully evoke the vast beauty of the country the wolves inhabit. Visually lovely and sure to be a read-aloud hit; put on some Ella Fitzgerald, too.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
From the woodland, meadow, and mountain settings to the appealing depictions of the wolves, the distinctive illustrations were created collaboratively: Kvasnosky contributed the bold, black line drawings and textured effects, while her sister McGee—a landscape artist—added beautiful, soft, dusky colors. Written with economy and wit, this handsome picture book is a natural for reading aloud, and kids will be ready to help when it’s time to cut loose and howl.
—Booklist (starred review)
The perfectly paced narrative is filled with warmth and humor...Fun to read—and howl—aloud, this tale of tackling a first experience with originality and élan is ideal for storytime or family sharing.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
Little Wolf wants to make howling his own. In its nod to individuality and originality, this wise book is not just about growing up but also about being yourself.
—San Francisco Chronicle
Laura McGee Kvasnosky and Kate Harvey McGee, captures the solemnity and playfulness of a wonderful father-son relationship. In moonlit illustrations, Big Wolf demonstrates proper howling form, but though his cub makes a sincere effort, he keeps veering into improvisation (‘skibbity skobbity skooo-wooooo’). It’s so endearing that eventually Big Wolf can’t help joining in.
—The Wall Street Journal
