Let's Play in the Forest While the Wolf Is Not Around

by Claudia Rueda

2006, Paperback, Illustrated

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Wolves, Humor, Music

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Claudia Rueda is a Colombian picture book author, New York Times Best Seller illustrator and a 2016 Hans Christian Andersen and Astrid Lindgren award nominee. Her books have been published throughout North America, Europe and Asia and have been translated into more than ten different languages.

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book, but I think it'd be more fun to sing the song and play the game, rather than read the book. It's a bit too repetitive for my taste. Overall, it's a good book, but certainly not our favorite.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually giggled reading this. It was so cute. I loved all the animals, I loved the repetition and the ending was so adorable.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story is ridiculous, it inspires anxiety in kids with no resolution and is needlessly repetitive. Just no.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be a great read-aloud, switching back and forth between the animals playing in the forest and the wolf as he gets ready to go outside. The tension ratchets up with each article of clothing the wolf puts on. I anticipate lots of giggles from my preschool group. (Apparently, this is a song and there is music at the end of the book so you can learn it.)

Had to add that my preschoolers loved this, as predicted. I think the adults probably wanted to scream because of all the repetition, but that's okay---they'll get over it. :)

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different animals ask this question:
"Wolf, are you there?"
The wolf answers the question by saying what he is doing at the moment.
When the wolf finishes dressing himself, he says "Yes, and I am very hungry!"
The animals look alarmed....
Kids can join in the fun by asking as we turn the page, "Wolf, are you there?"

[Meghan Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book for a toddler or early preschool storytime about getting dressed. The repetition of the text was a little boring for me, but there is a surprise twist at the end that I think kids will like.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is a great choice for preschool ages or less-sensitive toddlers. The wolf kind of freaks me out when he goes all toothy, but I could see this as a really great felt story!

[Milton Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may make this story interactive by having the children ask what the wolf is doing. B

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Works well for storytime.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recently described at a professional conference for youth librarians as an "engaging story for preschool storytimes"...but it "fell flat" upon experiencing the book as a reader/participant. The simplistic illustrations (almost geometric-like pictures made with 1982's Apple Logo program) and dated typography were neither creative nor inspiring.

Publication Date: 2006; available via ILL or for purchase via second-hand (out of print?)
Elements: Repetitive text; musical integration (brief sheet music in back)
Connection/Topics: Play; morning routines (getting dressed); suspense/humor

[Robin Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Rueda's earlier books, this has a very stripped-down style of illustration. Like her later Redlocks and the Three Bears, the story plays with well-known fairy tales. I thought the text was excellent but the illustrations were too simplistic.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a picture book adaptation of the traditional folk song "Juguemos en el Bosque" / "Promenons-nous dans les bois" in which animals play in the forest while the wolf getting dressed and, therefore, not around to eat them.

The author's note includes the musical notation for the melody as well as the English lyrics.

[Maria Pelayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on a chant/game played in different places in the world. I think this is a great book to use for writers workshop because it displays use of speech bubbles. This book also displays some words small and some large to change the voice of the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly repetitive, this story is told exclusively in word bubbles. The illustrations are awesome and although the repetition is boring to me, I bet my preschoolers at story time are going to love it.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A shout and response story that dates back to 16th century France, that has led to the chase and tag games that children play today.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent for introducing sequencing and question answering with my kindergarten students.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great repetition, structure and kid humor. Perfect for story times. Highly recommended for ages 2-5 (also works as an early reader).

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun--and even more once we realized that it was a song!

[Colorado Buck · Rating 2 out of 5]

did not like, it had repetition, good for teaching someone how to get dressed?

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals of the forest play while the wolf is busy getting dressed. They fear when he's done that he will want to eat them up, but as it turns out he's got a craving for...pancakes!

Sheet music follows the story along with an author's note about the origins of the story.

Artwork was rendered using graphite pencils on digital prints. The simple colors and shapes make this a great read aloud for wither toddlers or preschoolers.

[Evan Childress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun call and response story that builds suspense as the wolf gets dressed. This works well for story time, but because of the sparse illustrations it definitely needs some help. This is a traditional game played by children in South America, and the song with the words and notes is in the back of the book. I sang the beginning of the song, and had the kids asking if the wolf was there. They think it is funny at the end when he eats pancakes.

[Philip Raber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale originates from northern France prior to the 16th century. It is accompanied by a song meant to be a fun, parenting trick to get little ones dressed for the day. The wolf represents danger, but the bright colors, comical forest animals and happy ending makes for a story that preschoolers would love. The title, let's play in the forest while the wolf is not around is repeated through the book.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can I just say how awesome our story time librarian is? Her wolf voice kicked butt! She can the words as the little tune shown at the back of the book as well. I enjoyed watching the wolf slowly get dressed. It makes a great build up of suspense that reminds me of the game Mr Bear Are You Awake?, but it is also a great review of clothes for younger kids. Overall, great story time choice!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great one for building anticipation -- I didn't have time to learn the song included, so I just had the kids pat their hands against their laps and chant the refrain. It worked wonderfully. And the mention of the word "underpants" in the beginning of the book basically sets them up to be pleased. It was more or less a laugh riot!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read aloud in story time. The kids love singing the song with the animals, and watching what the wolf is going to put on next. You can find a template on line to make a flannel board for the story. I made the underwear with polka-dot felt, and the kids crack up every time we get to that part.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun interactive book for story times! Begin by reading this cute, sparse tale by yourself, and then once kids catch on, have them join in calling, "Wolf, are you there?"

Build suspense and encourage participation as the faces o the woodland animals change from playful to apprehensive to outright scared!!

Recommend for Pre-k to 1st grade!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on an old play song. I’m putting on my ...pants...socks...etc. It is simple, but loads of fun. I think this would make a great storytime book. Not scary, but an element of what will happen. I can see why so many people told me to put this on my TBR pile.

#beatthebacklist #hermione 2017

[Tati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I interviewed Claudia Rueda from Colombia. This is based on a Latin American traditional game played by children. It plays the game and has a fun surprise ending. Easy to translate while reading...

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story with a repetitive phrase and general silliness. It may be appreciated a bit more by the pre-school crowd, but the Tiny Totters laughed at some of the pages. I also sang part of this book

[orangerful · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going to try this in storytime this week. Need to google to find out what the melody of the folk song is! My only complaint is I wish the book was a little bigger but I'm hoping the colorful illustrations will translate well in a room full of kids.