This Wolf Was Different

by Katie Slivensky, Hannah Salyer (Illustrator)

Inspired by natural history, this captivating picture book imagines how humans and wolves first came together, exploring individuality and how true friendship means embracing differences.

Long ago, a wolf pup was born in a forest. This pup was a wolf, and so were her brothers and sisters. But this wolf was different. She liked staying close to the den instead of hunting and chasing her tail instead of chasing other animals. She wished she were more like her siblings—more like a real wolf.

Then she meets a new kind of creature, no more like the other wolves than she is. As a new friendship blossoms, the wolf discovers that it’s okay to be different and, better yet, it’s a gift to be something new.

This gorgeously illustrated book includes extensive backmatter with scientific information about how wolves and humans first connected.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction, History

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2024

About the author

Katie Slivensky is the critically acclaimed author of middle grade sci-fi adventures, The Countdown Conspiracy and The Seismic Seven (HarperCollins Childrens), as well as an upcoming picture book based on natural history, THIS WOLF WAS DIFFERENT with illustrator Hannah Salyer (Beach Lane Books, 2024), and a middle grade non-fiction book that focuses on physics, SMALLER: The Search for Subatomic Particles (Algonquin Young Readers, 2024). She is a professional science educator and enthusiast who has worked in zoos and museums since age 11. Her love of learning has resulted in a lifetime of adventures, including helping separate fighting rhinos, falling down a cliff in search of fossils, flying an astronaut through the solar system (the astronaut was real, the solar system was a simulation), nursing a stranded baby mouse back to health, creating million-volt lightning bolts while standing just an inch away, and handling feisty alligators. She is a firm believer that science and adventure are for everyone, and that kids have a lot to teach adults about how to save the world.

Katie grew up in Michigan and currently lives just outside Boston with her family, including her dear cat Darwin. She has science degrees from the University of Michigan and Stony Brook University. She is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love wolves and natural history, so that’s probably why this book didn’t ring true. It’s simplistic and soft in such a way that it feels like a heavy-handed social allegory, rather than a plausible story of how wolves began the journey to becoming man’s best friend.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the atmosphere of an ancient myth, this is a gorgeously illustrated read to lean back with and enjoy.

Long, long ago, a litter of wolf pups was born. They tumbled, played, and chased everything around, but one pup didn't quite fit in. It wonders why it's different, although it seems to get a bit more like its siblings as it gets older. Then one day, it accidentally lags behind the rest of the pack and is left alone. While lost, it finally finds a place where it belongs.

I'm going to start with the illustrations because these are a treat in and of themselves. They carry so much atmosphere and remind a bit of ancient, indigenous tales with a slightly mystic twist, yet bring across the story wonderfully. The pups and scenes invite to flip through and revisit these time and again.

The text is also well done, offering exactly what is needed and no more. It flows right along with the images to create a dreamy atmosphere, while drawing in with all the needed emotions. The pup is easy to sympathize with, and yet, never takes a victim role, but rather is on a search of itself. It's well-paced and makes a lovely read-aloud.

As extra goodness to the tale, the end of the book carries information and historical details surrounding the history of wolves and dogs. This section is meant for the older/adult reader and offers a basis to teach the younger reader. This also would work well with a fitting historical or biological theme in groups, schools, or for homeschoolers...or even interested individuals. But with or without this information, it's still so nicely done and well worth taking a peek at.

[Michelle Adamo #EmptyNestReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This wolf was gentle, this wolf was curious. This wolf was different."

This Wolf Was Different is a beautiful children’s picture book with a wonderful message. In the story a young wolf pup has difficulty relating to her brothers and sisters. She doesn’t like to play rough, hunt or go on adventures. She does like to stay close to home and play chase her tail. She wishes that she was more “wolfish” like her siblings, but that’s not who she is. She is different and sometimes different is hard. Eventually the young pup makes a new friend who appreciate the pup for who she is and the pup learns that, sometimes, different can be very, very nice.

I can'’t say enough about this wonderful children’s picture book. The story! The message! The artistry! I was blown away - you will be too. Ages 3-8 . (A brief explanation of the domestication of the wolf to the dog we now know is provided at the back of the book.) Beautifully illustrated. I don’t know how the publishers did the eyes of the wolf on the cover but they’re amazing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, what a charming book! I love the illustrations; they are a remarkable blend of realism and magic; the wolves are portrayed with beautiful accuracy (I love that these are not “big bad wolves” but shown with endearing moments of playing together, snuggling together, exploring with curiosity and wonder) but it also feels very immersive and as if we are feeling and seeing some of the awe and wonder that surrounded the wolf when she first made contact with the human child. I was captivated. The story itself is wonderful because it shows not only a way in which a wolf and a human may have first interacted, but it also shows how the wolf being “different” (less interested in hunting and adventuring, more interested in play and snuggles) was such a struggle for her initially yet become the very reason that she was able to bond with the human – a neat little lesson in natural history but also a gentle reminder that it can be our differences that lead us to fulfill our true purpose and find what makes our soul sing. I appreciate that this is more than just a good story with beautiful artwork but it’s also highly educational as the back matter explains much more about the history of how domesticated canines came to be and includes source material, also.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.


       One of the wolves in a wolf pack always feels different from the others, like they aren't truly a wolf. Will they ever find a place where they belong? I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting and effective way to explore how wolves first broke away from their packs to eventually become dogs. Wolves are so often depicted in harsh, sharp lines as bodies with just teeth, so I really enjoyed the soft, color pencil-like illustrations throughout. There are also wonderful, informative back matter on the scientific information about how wolves and humans turned into one of the most important relationships in human history. A wonderful book for animal/wolves/dog lovers and anyone feeling like they are too different to belong.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a warm and wonderful delight! It tells the imagined-but-plausible story of the first domesticated dog - a wolf who felt different and alone, but found comfort and communion with a human companion. I was SO struck by the ending, with a message so layered and healing but delivered in such a sweet and subtle way. Kids will love and cheer for the wolf/dog main character. The art is gorgeous and the back matter is really nicely written, inviting readers to ask their own questions while sharing fascinating facts. Most importantly, I think a lot of readers will feel a little less alone and a lot more in love with their differences after reading this wonderful tail/tale ;)

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pup is born in a forest who feels much less wolfish than her brothers and sisters. She wishes that she could be more like them so that she fit in better with her family. Then one day she gets lost and meets a human, which changes everything. This imagined story about how a wolf became domesticated is an endearing story not just about this evolution, but also about feeling different and finding a place to be yourself. Make sure you don't miss both the backmatter and the author's extensive resources on her website.

[Sarah Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with captivating illustrations, this is a story that starts simply enough with a wolf cub. Themes of fitting in and loving oneself, which the younger elementary audience will relate to, are expertly interwoven throughout. The nice twist at the end was an unexpected science lesson theorizing the beginning of domestication. One of those rare books that a large age range could be interested in. I really hope this author continues with more picture books!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book, even as an adult I was gripped by the beautiful gentle story about being different; best of all This Wolf found a way to make his differences useful to mankind. The illustrations, starting with the jacket cover, enhance the story. Best of all at the end of the book is scientific information on how wolves became domesticated, and why dogs were the first that were domesticated. Katie Slivensky is a fabulous author, who was paired with the perfect illustrator.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A speculation about a possible instance of early domestication. The story is engaging & plausible, and the art is truly stunning & powerful.

The author's note is excellent. I learned that "today's wolves are evolutionary cousins to dogs," not direct ancestors. I agree with the theory of "survival of the friendliest." Includes list of sources but they're not 'for further reading' for kids.

Recommended to everyone who has ever loved a dog or being curious about their evolution.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An author's rendition of the first bond between humans and dogs. I loved it. I love thinking about this unique relationship most of the time anyway, so it was really fun to read a beautifully illustrated picture book about this fascinating topic. I read it once, and then immediately flipped back to the beginning and read it again.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book about a wolf pup feeling "different" from his pack. She finds companionship and true friendship with a human girl. Sweet story with the most amazing illustrations by Hannah Salyer. The cover art alone is magnificent!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book that postulates how the first wolves may have been domesticated and become pets. Dog lovers will like this book and likely be interested in the interested in the back matter which pulls from the fossil record to show the true prehistoric basis of the story.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting narrative take on the domestication of animals! And the artwork was absolutely exquisite.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entirely believable portrait of how wolves evolved into dogs.

[Megan Buckley]

great for pre-k-2

[Kara&Nanouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and heartwarming story about a wolf finding her path in life. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful ❤️🐺

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one and I think older readers will be able to lean in and talk about what the story is getting to on a deeper level.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautiful!