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Wilfred
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.
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.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2013
3 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
March 3, 2020
A heartwarming story that got me. A tale about friendship and how much a good friend means and what they will do for you.
A big hairy monster is lonely and he finds a town of bald people living together. He wants a friend so he asks some of the bald kids to be his friend. They all run screaming except one boy. They then become friends. Now the old bald people decide to exploit this friendship. The old men tell him that Big hairy monsters aren’t allowed in town and he either has to stop being big or stop being hairy. See, these adults want his hair to make wigs for the winter. So the monsters is shaved bald and the old people begin to make wigs and winter comes on and the big monster is cold.
It really is a wonderful story and you need to read the ending. It’s heartwarming and the end will lift your spirits.
A beautiful story.
The nephew loved this story. He loved the boy and the big hairy monster. He said he would buy a barn and live together with the monster, if it was him and they could stay warm together. Or the monster could live in Maryland where there is no snow this year. This was also a 5 star read for the nephew.
A big hairy monster is lonely and he finds a town of bald people living together. He wants a friend so he asks some of the bald kids to be his friend. They all run screaming except one boy. They then become friends. Now the old bald people decide to exploit this friendship. The old men tell him that Big hairy monsters aren’t allowed in town and he either has to stop being big or stop being hairy. See, these adults want his hair to make wigs for the winter. So the monsters is shaved bald and the old people begin to make wigs and winter comes on and the big monster is cold.
It really is a wonderful story and you need to read the ending. It’s heartwarming and the end will lift your spirits.
A beautiful story.
The nephew loved this story. He loved the boy and the big hairy monster. He said he would buy a barn and live together with the monster, if it was him and they could stay warm together. Or the monster could live in Maryland where there is no snow this year. This was also a 5 star read for the nephew.
June 12, 2019
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).
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).
October 18, 2016
Kinda weird, but kinda cute at the same time.
April 1, 2024
This is a cute story of friendship and I immediately fell in love with Wilfred. Wilfred is a huge, hairy giant who is lonely. He wants to have friends so he travels until he comes upon a village with individuals who are hairless. Noticing some children playing, he runs over to them as he wants to play with them but ahhh.... they all run away from big, hairy Wilfred, all of them except for one small boy. This boy tells Wilfred different things to do and Wilfred obeys him. They have the best time together and they can't wait to play again tomorrow. In the meantime, the town people are envious of the hair on Wilfred and come up with a plan to get the hair off of Wilfred so they can keep it for themselves. It's mean but the next day, they approach Wilfred and I am sadden at what transpires. The little boy stays true to his new friend and this ending is priceless. It is a wonderful story and one that will make your heart sing.
November 6, 2016
A quirky story about a big furry giant, Wilfred, who encounters a village of bald people. Wilfred is treated unfairly, but fortunately he also has made a true friend. This is an evocative friendship story about trust, acceptance, and fairness.
January 1, 2019
Usually you laugh your butt off reading a Ryan T. Higgins picture book, but this one was different. It was touching, sweet, and heartfelt. And despite the fact it was lacking his signature humor, it was still great all same <3
February 28, 2020
I cried big baby tears when we read this aloud for the first time because it’s just so beautiful. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of this author usually, but the compassion packed into this creature is incredible. I just want to love him forever and remind him he’s wonderful.
August 12, 2013
Amazing and adorable easy fiction book.
If it doesn't make you tear up, you're pretty much dead inside.
Oh, and there's an important moral to be learned from the story, but who cares.
If it doesn't make you tear up, you're pretty much dead inside.
Oh, and there's an important moral to be learned from the story, but who cares.
December 17, 2016
What a strange and lovely story. A good addition to a unit on friendship.
February 27, 2018
Oh my so sad. What is with these sad stories :’-(
December 12, 2018
Awww. I mean, what else can I say?
April 11, 2020
Kind of a weird story but merits inclusion for its irreverence and the author’s other enjoyable series “Mother Bruce.”
November 18, 2020
I'm a fan of Ryan T. Higgins, so I'm attempting to read all his children's books. I like this one a lot. Kindness and friendship has been a theme in the books I read to Alena today.
August 11, 2021
Friendship | Heartwarming | Engaging - Hilary
February 23, 2022
It was weird and I liked it.
"The moral of the story: don't shave big hairy monsters" Melissa 2/23/22
"The moral of the story: don't shave big hairy monsters" Melissa 2/23/22
June 21, 2022
A cute book by a great author! The illustrations were cute, but it wasn't my favorite by this author, but Bruce is hard to beat!
September 16, 2025
Beautiful story of a big hairy giant, little boy and town filled with people who had no hair. Meant for older kids. Sweet read.
December 3, 2024
Cute, sweet, and perfect for anyone and everyone!
July 6, 2017
Wilfred the hairy giant would like a friend to play with. The only other people around are the bald villagers in a nearby town. So one day he tries to join the children in the neighboring village in a game. But all of the children run away; except one. One little boy finds that having Wilfred as a friend is fun.
But the other townspeople have other ideas. They would like hair on their heads. So when Wilfred comes back to play the townspeople tell him that only small hairy beasts are allowed. Since Wilfred can't become smaller they take his hair from him. Now Wilfred can't play because he's too cold.
The young boy figures out that the townspeople have made wigs out of Wilfred's fur, and he's furious! He makes a pair of mittens from his bedclothes but loses them in a winter storm while trying to get to Wilfred's den. The townspeople find that he's missing and when looking for him find him wrapped up in Wilfred's arms. They are so ashamed of themselves that they sew Wilfred's suit back up for him.
But the other townspeople have other ideas. They would like hair on their heads. So when Wilfred comes back to play the townspeople tell him that only small hairy beasts are allowed. Since Wilfred can't become smaller they take his hair from him. Now Wilfred can't play because he's too cold.
The young boy figures out that the townspeople have made wigs out of Wilfred's fur, and he's furious! He makes a pair of mittens from his bedclothes but loses them in a winter storm while trying to get to Wilfred's den. The townspeople find that he's missing and when looking for him find him wrapped up in Wilfred's arms. They are so ashamed of themselves that they sew Wilfred's suit back up for him.
October 1, 2019
Wilfred
by Ryan T. Higgins
Wilfred is a hairy giant in a world of people who are hairless. He learns the meaning of friendship with a young boy. The young boy learns the sacrifices that friends are able to give. The story was fought over by the third graders as they read their individual books. The story is a cute way to teach acceptance and friendship. The characters are cute and adorable and the drawings is perfect for young learners. This is a great teaching book.
November 18, 2017
Wilfred is a must read for all ages! It tells the wonderful story about love, life, and friendship. Such a sensational book that will really play with you emotions. The content of the book is very truthful and has good morals within it. This is a book that every classroom should have.
February 5, 2019
Sad but well done and a powerful message about righting our wrongs as well as being gracious-as Wilfred is kind and sweet and above all forgiving. Higgins illustrations are top notch and students liked the end papers with and without the zipper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2019
A very hairy, kind-hearted giant is taken advantage of by some bald villagers. He just wanted to have a friend, but let it go to far. Luckily, the villagers realize their selfishness and in the end the giant gets his hair and his friends.
Good illustrations.
Good illustrations.
August 2, 2017
Weird, but sweet. Appealing, and also sorta ugly. I gotta admit, though, comparing it to Calvin & Hobbes seems to me to be a stretch. And to Dr. Seuss, more of one.
January 2, 2018
What a sweet tale of friendship! I'll be sharing this one with my younger readers this week.
August 3, 2018
Wilfred ,the giving monster.Ryan T Higgins is great.
September 19, 2018
A strange story about a giant who lives a community full of people who are bald.
September 23, 2018
I liked Wilfred (a sweet, cute, loving monster), but hated all the selfish bald townspeople.
December 31, 2018
I'm a big mushy mush after this book. SO CUTE
January 8, 2019
It has a cute message about friendship and being kind to others who look different from us.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews