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Wolf!
A wolf learns to read in order to impress a group of farmyard animals he has met.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 16, 2022
Wolf! by Becky Bloom utilized 7 different types of power: economic, referent, coercive, expert, reward, legitimate, and collaborative power. The story focuses on an "uncivilized" wolf who learns how to read to fit in and adapt to the structured community of the farm animals.
Economic power is when a character or characters has the economic means another character does not have and needs. In the book, the three farm animals (pig, cow, and duck) have power/control because they can read/are literate and their power influences the wolf to learn how to read. In the beginning of the story, the wolf is depicted as poor and worn down, but when he learns to read, he gets bright clothes and glasses, symbolizing the power he gained when he became literate.
Referent power is the power gained when a character or characters are likeable and cultivate relationships. In the beginning of the story, the wolf is seen as an outcast and isn't likeable because he can't read. By the end of the story, when he can read fluently, this newly gained power makes him more likeable and can be seen forming new relationships/friendships with the towns people and the cow, pig, and duck on the farm.
Coercive power is a character or characters ability to make other characters do things and influence the way other characters think and act. In the story, the farm animals have this coercive power as they won't be friends with the wolf in the beginning, because they live on a "farm for educated animals". This influenced the wolf to go to school, study, and learn how to read, just so that he would feel like he fit in with society.
Expert power is the power a character has because of their superior knowledge. The duck, cow, and pig are very good at reading, and they see themselves as smarter and superior to the wolf because he doesn't know how to read. Even when the wolf starts to learn how to read, the pig keeps saying he has a long way to go until he is as "superior" as they are. Their expert power can symbolized by their glasses (symbol of how smart they are), their human-like stances, and how the three of them are always grouped together, separate from the wolf for most of the book.
Reward power is a character or characters ability to mete out positive consequences. The cow, duck, and pig all have the power to make the wolf happy/reward the wolf by allowing him to read with them. These three farm animals have the power to control the resolution/ending of the story as their influence pushes the wolf to learn how to read, because he couldn't be a part of their friend group until he was literate.
Legitimate power is when a character or characters are in a higher position, and they have control over people in a lower position, which makes action possible. The entire book encapsulates the idea of legitimate power perfectly. The farm animals are in a higher position because they are literate, and they have control over the wolf who is in a lower position because he is an "uncivilized" wolf who can't read. Their power influences the wolf to go to school and learn how to read, and their control over the wolf lasts the entire book.
Collaborative power is when one group has power and they dominate over another group. The farm animals in power control how the wolf acts, and who the wolf wants to become. The group of farm animals coerce the behaviors of the wolf, as the wolf felt like an outcast when he didn't know how to read.
There are various symbols to represent the different types of power relationships present throughout the book such as the glasses and clothes. The wolf doesn't have glasses or clothes when he first arrives and is "uncivilized", but when he learns how to read, he wears a vest and glasses, which symbolize his newly gained power. The changing expressions of the animals throughout the book also symbolize their attitude towards the wolf and how they view him. The spatial relationships in the book are also a symbol. When the wolf is first beginning to learn how to read, the farm animals are far away from him, making him feel like an outcast. By the end of the book, when he learns to read, he is laying down on the grass next to all the farm animals, as they become friends. The two themes that stick out out to me the most in this book are the different power relationships and the idea of working to belong in a society where you were once and outsider.
Economic power is when a character or characters has the economic means another character does not have and needs. In the book, the three farm animals (pig, cow, and duck) have power/control because they can read/are literate and their power influences the wolf to learn how to read. In the beginning of the story, the wolf is depicted as poor and worn down, but when he learns to read, he gets bright clothes and glasses, symbolizing the power he gained when he became literate.
Referent power is the power gained when a character or characters are likeable and cultivate relationships. In the beginning of the story, the wolf is seen as an outcast and isn't likeable because he can't read. By the end of the story, when he can read fluently, this newly gained power makes him more likeable and can be seen forming new relationships/friendships with the towns people and the cow, pig, and duck on the farm.
Coercive power is a character or characters ability to make other characters do things and influence the way other characters think and act. In the story, the farm animals have this coercive power as they won't be friends with the wolf in the beginning, because they live on a "farm for educated animals". This influenced the wolf to go to school, study, and learn how to read, just so that he would feel like he fit in with society.
Expert power is the power a character has because of their superior knowledge. The duck, cow, and pig are very good at reading, and they see themselves as smarter and superior to the wolf because he doesn't know how to read. Even when the wolf starts to learn how to read, the pig keeps saying he has a long way to go until he is as "superior" as they are. Their expert power can symbolized by their glasses (symbol of how smart they are), their human-like stances, and how the three of them are always grouped together, separate from the wolf for most of the book.
Reward power is a character or characters ability to mete out positive consequences. The cow, duck, and pig all have the power to make the wolf happy/reward the wolf by allowing him to read with them. These three farm animals have the power to control the resolution/ending of the story as their influence pushes the wolf to learn how to read, because he couldn't be a part of their friend group until he was literate.
Legitimate power is when a character or characters are in a higher position, and they have control over people in a lower position, which makes action possible. The entire book encapsulates the idea of legitimate power perfectly. The farm animals are in a higher position because they are literate, and they have control over the wolf who is in a lower position because he is an "uncivilized" wolf who can't read. Their power influences the wolf to go to school and learn how to read, and their control over the wolf lasts the entire book.
Collaborative power is when one group has power and they dominate over another group. The farm animals in power control how the wolf acts, and who the wolf wants to become. The group of farm animals coerce the behaviors of the wolf, as the wolf felt like an outcast when he didn't know how to read.
There are various symbols to represent the different types of power relationships present throughout the book such as the glasses and clothes. The wolf doesn't have glasses or clothes when he first arrives and is "uncivilized", but when he learns how to read, he wears a vest and glasses, which symbolize his newly gained power. The changing expressions of the animals throughout the book also symbolize their attitude towards the wolf and how they view him. The spatial relationships in the book are also a symbol. When the wolf is first beginning to learn how to read, the farm animals are far away from him, making him feel like an outcast. By the end of the book, when he learns to read, he is laying down on the grass next to all the farm animals, as they become friends. The two themes that stick out out to me the most in this book are the different power relationships and the idea of working to belong in a society where you were once and outsider.
January 24, 2012
This story is about a hungry wolf in search of food. When he reaches a farm he stumbles upon a reading cow, a pick and a duck. These animals were reading books instead of being scared of the wolf. They simply ignored him. The wolf wolf was in disbelief but instead of wanting to eat the animals he was interested in learning how to read. The went to school to learn how to read. He decided that in order to be accepted by his peers he had to learn to read. When the wolf found out simply being able to read was not good enough, but he had to be able to read well. he continued to work on his skill until he bought a book on different stories at the library. He was finally able to win his new friends over with his wonderful new stories and his ability to read well.
I like this book to a certain extent. I think the animals were just in the fact they didn't need to be scared of the wolf. They treated him like a bully when they turned him away. Yet, I felt bad for the wolf when he reached out to the animals in trying to impress them with his new skill on being able to read. The cow, the pig and the duck still turned him away instead of reaching out to the wolf and trying to help him. I think the kids reading this book may feel it would be ok to treat another kid like they were dumb for not being able to read as well as them. So I don't agree with that message. Of course the book ends with all of them becoming friends, for example I see it in a way of people or animals seperating classes. If you are not able to read you're not to be considered as an equal. Though the way you can look at it is that when growing up, a person better learn how to reead while growing up or you run the risk of being rejected by your friends.
I like this book to a certain extent. I think the animals were just in the fact they didn't need to be scared of the wolf. They treated him like a bully when they turned him away. Yet, I felt bad for the wolf when he reached out to the animals in trying to impress them with his new skill on being able to read. The cow, the pig and the duck still turned him away instead of reaching out to the wolf and trying to help him. I think the kids reading this book may feel it would be ok to treat another kid like they were dumb for not being able to read as well as them. So I don't agree with that message. Of course the book ends with all of them becoming friends, for example I see it in a way of people or animals seperating classes. If you are not able to read you're not to be considered as an equal. Though the way you can look at it is that when growing up, a person better learn how to reead while growing up or you run the risk of being rejected by your friends.
September 20, 2019
Wolf, by Becky Bloom and illustrated by Pascal Biet is a fable about a hungry wolf who just needs food. In order to get food from the farm, he must impress the cow, duck and pig by reading and being educated because they are too into their books to pay attention to the wolf. He goes to school and learns to read throughout the duration of the book.
A fable is a short story that conveys an overall moral or lesson that is to be learned from. This book fits perfectly under this definition of a fable because it hits all the key elements that are typical of this genre. The lesson from the story is portrayed by talking animals like the wolf, cow, duck and pig in the story and the animals have human characteristics because they can read. There is a problem because the wolf wants to be able to read like the others that is resolved in the end of the book, which teaches a clear lesson about reading.
This books lesson is to motivate kids to read and it depicts how if they stay focused and keep practicing, they will become better readers. However, I am not positive that I would use this book in my classroom. I enjoyed reading it and how it was a spoof off of The Three Little Pigs, however, the animals were not nice to the wolf when he was learning to read. I want my kids to value reading and practice every day to get better, but I want students to know they have support from their friends. The other animals just turned the wolf away when he was still learning, and I did not like the message that it teaches to kids.
A fable is a short story that conveys an overall moral or lesson that is to be learned from. This book fits perfectly under this definition of a fable because it hits all the key elements that are typical of this genre. The lesson from the story is portrayed by talking animals like the wolf, cow, duck and pig in the story and the animals have human characteristics because they can read. There is a problem because the wolf wants to be able to read like the others that is resolved in the end of the book, which teaches a clear lesson about reading.
This books lesson is to motivate kids to read and it depicts how if they stay focused and keep practicing, they will become better readers. However, I am not positive that I would use this book in my classroom. I enjoyed reading it and how it was a spoof off of The Three Little Pigs, however, the animals were not nice to the wolf when he was learning to read. I want my kids to value reading and practice every day to get better, but I want students to know they have support from their friends. The other animals just turned the wolf away when he was still learning, and I did not like the message that it teaches to kids.
February 26, 2013
Overall, I liked this a lot. It was a little uncomfortable when the animals turn away the wolf because he can't read well enough. It motivates him to work harder. My concern is will children understand that the process to learning how to read is to work harder but shouldn't our classmates support us in that process and not reject us? That is where I struggled some.
January 7, 2014
A little formal in language but it ends up suiting the studious wolf. I'm not sure the kids are totally going to buy it but I love all the expressions on the faces.
community, homecoming, friendship, companionship, value of working hard, value of reading.
community, homecoming, friendship, companionship, value of working hard, value of reading.
February 3, 2014
I love to hate this book. It has its uses: teaching fluency to learners. However, I hate the idea that Wolf has to change everything about himself to make the other animals like him. Not a message I want to send to kids.
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November 30, 2012"Educated animals" peer-pressure a wolf into improving his reading skills.
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September 21, 2023“Wolf,” by Becky Bloom is about a wolf who wishes to find food at the farm, but upon arriving, realizes that most of the animals are not afraid of him because they are educated farm animals and wish not to be bothered while they are reading. He then enrolls himself into school to learn how to read to be on par with them, but when they are not impressed with his reading level, he continues to learn and improve his reading skills. In the end, the other farm animals were impressed with his reading skills and invited him to their picnic where they all read together. With determination and perseverance, the wolf was able to learn how to read and continue to improve his reading skills which allowed him to reach his goal of joining the farm animal’s picnic. In Moebius’ “Picturebook Codes,” Moebius discusses that the more a character is represented on a singular page usually means the less in control of a situation they are (256). Throughout the book, “Wolf,” the wolf is normally shown numerous times on a page after he is rejected by the educated farm animals. The wolf mentions how he has never been treated with indifference before, as many normally run away at the sight of him or even his howl (Bloom 9). Due to the fact that the educated farm animals were not afraid of him makes him lose control of himself as he ponders on how to impress them if they were not afraid of him. After learning how to read, the animals were still not impressed by him which makes him be in even less control as he begins to further his education to impress them since his past efforts had failed (13).
February 21, 2022
"Wolf!" by Becky Bloom is a story about struggling wolf who encounters a group of farm animals while looking for something to eat. The wolf is ostracized from the group for not being able to read, so throughout the story he tries to learn how to read so that he can fit in with the other animals. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great story to showcase power due to the great variation of power dynamics present throughout the story. The first example of power shown is economical power. The wolf is described as being tired, hungry, and having little money. This causes him to have far different priorities than the farm animals who are able to lounge in the sun reading. The main type of power in the story is expert power because the farm animals have more skill in reading than the wolf which makes them feel superior. This suggest an element of collaborative power between the farm animals (more highly educated) and predator animals. The wolf's want to learn how to read is primarily driven by reward power, because he believes that knowing how to read will help influence the other animals to let him join their group. Overall, I thought that the story was heartwarming and pretty entertaining as a reader.
August 29, 2017
Wolf by Becky Bloom has a good twist motivating children to read. Definitely a book to keep on my shelf. It is about a wolf who comes into town with very little money. He remembered there was a farm outside of town to satisfy his hunger. When he got to the farm, he saw an unusual sight, farm animals reading. He took a deep breath and howled. There was no sudden movement from the farm animals nor were they impressed with his actions because they were trying to read. The wolf couldn't believe they were educated animals and he wanted to show them by going to school to read. Returned to the farm and the farm animals still weren't impressed. The wolf studied long and hard at the library. Again, wasn't impressed. So, the wolf purchased a book from the bookstore and read everyday, every letter and every line. Returned to the farm and the animals were very impressed with his style of reading. At last, he had a sense of belonging.
April 29, 2020
This one is yet another book where the stereotype of the "big bad wolf" is shattered. Wolfie is tacitly unwelcome at the farm since the pigs, duckies and chickens are actually reading books and becoming well educated. (They must've been inspired by the novel Animal Farm, which is a logical first choice for the intellectual livestock set, just read that one yourself and you'll see why!). So Wolfie goes off in a huff AND a puff and figures F this! I'll be well read too! So Wolfie teaches himself to read any books he can wolf down.....oops, bad choice of words! Eventually, he's smart enough to truly fit in with the beatniks of the barnyard. Of course it still sucks books like this exist where kids are preached down to that blending in is the answer. Shouldn't Wolfie be the Lone Wolf and be intellectual on his own terms? Nah, this is a cute story so... benefit of the doubt.
Four stars
Wolfie is Wicked Smart!!!
Four stars
Wolfie is Wicked Smart!!!
October 8, 2022
This book is about a hungry wolf who is just trying to look for food to eat, and he finds a farm with animals, so he went to scare them all off. Though the pig, duck, and cow did not care because they were reading a book; so, wolf decided to learn to read so he could be as intelligent as they were.
The genre of this book would be fiction, because the story was made up and the things that happened in this book would happen in real life. For example, the farm animals and the wolf being able to read and talk; which would not happen in real life. In this book there were a lot of predictable parts which means it had a lot of repeated language patterns. For example, in the book the wolf would go to the farm animals and read to them but they said he was not good enough so he would leave, get better and come back.
I think that this book would be good for 2nd and 3rd graders to read because it teaches children to not give up and to keep trying. To try and get better.
The genre of this book would be fiction, because the story was made up and the things that happened in this book would happen in real life. For example, the farm animals and the wolf being able to read and talk; which would not happen in real life. In this book there were a lot of predictable parts which means it had a lot of repeated language patterns. For example, in the book the wolf would go to the farm animals and read to them but they said he was not good enough so he would leave, get better and come back.
I think that this book would be good for 2nd and 3rd graders to read because it teaches children to not give up and to keep trying. To try and get better.
April 10, 2018
A very cute book that tells of a tired, hungry wolf who wanders into town looking for a quick meal of the local farm animals and finds that they are not afraid of him. They are too absorbed in their book reading.
"What's wrong with you?" growled the woof. "Can't you see I'm a big and dangerous wolf?"
"I am sure you are." replied the pig. "But couldn't you be big and dangerous somewhere else? We're trying to read. This is a farm for educated animals. now be a good wolf and go away," said the pig.
The wolf decided that he would learn to read . He kept at it until he was quite good at reading out loud with style. He returned to the farm and captivated them with his stories that he read aloud.
Realize that the story continues on the end page or you will wonder as I did at the abrupt ending. Quite cute!
"What's wrong with you?" growled the woof. "Can't you see I'm a big and dangerous wolf?"
"I am sure you are." replied the pig. "But couldn't you be big and dangerous somewhere else? We're trying to read. This is a farm for educated animals. now be a good wolf and go away," said the pig.
The wolf decided that he would learn to read . He kept at it until he was quite good at reading out loud with style. He returned to the farm and captivated them with his stories that he read aloud.
Realize that the story continues on the end page or you will wonder as I did at the abrupt ending. Quite cute!
October 9, 2025
Impossible to describe in detail the attitudes, posture, and general demeanor of the animals in this story but suffice it to say that the illustrator Pascal Biet has captured the readers' heart in the visual telling of this hilarious wolf's story of the learning the importance of becoming a fluent strong reader and the impact that has on the others around him.
The wolf is repeatedly dejected when he visits the Pig, the Cow, and the Duck in the barnyard, the three engrossed in reading their books. Diligently, the wolf learns to read. Not quite enough to impress the others though. So he learns more sophisticated reading. Still not enough. Then he practices prosody and becomes an ardent, fluent, expressive reader. Finally the barnyard animals accept him and invite him to a picnic where Wolf is able to shine in his new reading expertise.
The wolf is repeatedly dejected when he visits the Pig, the Cow, and the Duck in the barnyard, the three engrossed in reading their books. Diligently, the wolf learns to read. Not quite enough to impress the others though. So he learns more sophisticated reading. Still not enough. Then he practices prosody and becomes an ardent, fluent, expressive reader. Finally the barnyard animals accept him and invite him to a picnic where Wolf is able to shine in his new reading expertise.
September 7, 2022
Wolf! written by Becky Bloom and illustrated by Pascal Biet follows along a hungry wolf that is surprised when a pig, cow, and chicken are not afraid of him. Their reasoning for not being scared is..well I’ll let you find out!
I feel that this picturebook is a great example of fiction. We know the main character’s thoughts and feelings as they change throughout the story. Along with understanding the wolf, we see how determined he is in trying to read and when is confident in himself becomes a great reader. Although the wolf’s purpose for wanting to read is not very nice, I do want my future students to want to read and feel confident in themselves.
Recommended for K-2nd grade.
#wolf #readingisfun #Ilovetoread
March 18, 2023
An unexpected ending that book lovers will appreciate. A starving vagabond wolf decides to raid a farm for dinner, but instead finds a cow, a pig, and a duck reading. They are educated and not threatened by him. They actually push him off the farmyard. The wolf heads off to school to learn to read before returning to the farm. On his first return, he can only read at a primer level. The farm animals scoff. On his second return, he has trouble with fluency. The farm animals note his improvement, but say he needs to work on his style. He returns a third time with his first very own book and enchants the three farm animals with his storytelling expertise. New friendships are formed over a picnic and the four plan to travel the world as storytellers.
August 26, 2018
Wolf! is a wonderful story flowing the journey of a wolf who strives to be the best reader he can be. This story teaches kids that reading is improved by practice and encourages them to keep trying to become better just like Wolf. The story provides playful watercolor that illustrates the story and brings the characters to life. My favorite line from the story is, “He read with confidence and passion”. Confidence is an important thing to teach to students because if they can become confident in reading, they will develop a passion for it and can access a whole new world of knowledge provided through books.
November 10, 2017
Esasında ben değil Sufi Özcan sesli okudu :) Size de Sufi'yi takip etmenizi öneririm çocuk kitaplarını okuyan bir minik arkadaş. Bazen okurken videolara çekiyor bazen de babası okuyor. Neyse kitaba dönelim. :)
Kitabımız yorgun bir kurdun acıkıp bir köye gidişiyle başlıyor ve gittiği köydeki çiftlikte kitap okuyan hayvanlar görüyor. Onları korkutmaya çalıştığında hayvanlar ona "bu çiftlik kültürlü hayvanlar için" diye cevap veriyorlar ve kovuyorlar. Kurt bunun üzerine hırs yapıyor ve pes etmeden okuyor, okuyor, kendini geliştirmeye çalışıyor.
Kitabımız yorgun bir kurdun acıkıp bir köye gidişiyle başlıyor ve gittiği köydeki çiftlikte kitap okuyan hayvanlar görüyor. Onları korkutmaya çalıştığında hayvanlar ona "bu çiftlik kültürlü hayvanlar için" diye cevap veriyorlar ve kovuyorlar. Kurt bunun üzerine hırs yapıyor ve pes etmeden okuyor, okuyor, kendini geliştirmeye çalışıyor.
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July 26, 2020I think this book is perfect for showing kids that literature can bring people together over shared stories and readings. I really liked the illustrations in the book too, they look like water colors outlined with black marker. The colorful artwork really adds a more eye catching quality to the store. I must say that this story is one that I have never really heard before. You know, how some stories can have the same basis, but this one is unique and one that takes a twist on animals that would usually be at odds.
May 18, 2017
Hands down one of the best children's books ever. Wolf! by Becky Bloom is absolutely brilliant. This is not your traditional wolf story. This tall tale is phenomenal because the wolf evolves over time - don't want to be a spoiler. The illustrations by Pascal Biet are perfect and help bring the story to life. Brilliantly written and full of rich life lessons. Highly recommend.
November 3, 2021
Vrlo hladna priča u kojoj vuk svojom upornošću uspije naučiti čitati kako bi se sprijateljio sa životinjama s farme. Ne sviđaju mi se likovi životinja s farme. Vrlo su umišljeni i ignoriraju vuka sve dok on ne nauči čitati. Cijela priča je pomalo dosadnjikava i ne osjećam se dobro nakon što sam je pročitala. Da, na kraju oni jesu prijatelji, ali ostaje gorak okus.
March 3, 2022
I love this story because it was very funny.
I loved the pictures very much. And the funniest part is when the wolf was reading without spaces or commas or dots and without punctuation.
But there is something, we don't get friends for our skills. If our skills get low, our friends will leave us. We get friends because they love us, not for what I said previously.
I loved the pictures very much. And the funniest part is when the wolf was reading without spaces or commas or dots and without punctuation.
But there is something, we don't get friends for our skills. If our skills get low, our friends will leave us. We get friends because they love us, not for what I said previously.
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September 24, 2025Lietuviškai knyga vadinasi "išsilavinęs vilkas"
Paskaičius pasaką atrodo, kad:
* kol vilkas nemokėjo skaityti, tol buvo alkanas, ir norėjo kitus gyvūnus suvalgyti;
* o kai išmoko skaityti, jam tai patiko, ir valgyti jis jau nebenorėjo.
Bent jau taip sako vaikiška logika :)
Iliustracijos mielos. Tik vilko iliustracijose pasigedom apatinio žandikaulio...
Paskaičius pasaką atrodo, kad:
* kol vilkas nemokėjo skaityti, tol buvo alkanas, ir norėjo kitus gyvūnus suvalgyti;
* o kai išmoko skaityti, jam tai patiko, ir valgyti jis jau nebenorėjo.
Bent jau taip sako vaikiška logika :)
Iliustracijos mielos. Tik vilko iliustracijose pasigedom apatinio žandikaulio...
March 27, 2019
This was such a cute take on the three little pigs. Not only were the pictures and text intriguing, but this book also provided the lesson on how important reading can be. Students will be motivated and intrigued to read after hearing this great read aloud book!
March 14, 2021
Uma história muito gira sobre um lobo despeitado após ter sido ignorado por uma vaca, um pato e um porco que estão tranquilamente a ler na relva. O lobo decide aprender a ler e a escrever, tornando-se companheiro de leituras destes animais cultos. Um miminho!
May 18, 2021
This book teaches that you are only worthy of friends if you know how to read. Not a great message. The art is cute and good for the wolf for trying so hard. I don't think his new "friends" were worth it, but learning to read is a reward on its own.
March 20, 2017
Great little story about friendship and books. Great to read aloud to an elementary school age audience.
July 10, 2017
A wolf learns to read in order to impress a group of farmyard animals he has met.
April 30, 2018
Not quite the message I'd want to give to storytime families.
July 21, 2018
It has a cute ending, and I'm glad Wolf enjoys his friendships with Pig, Duck and Cow, but man, are those farm animals judgemental when he is learning to read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews