Wolf's Belly

by John August, Simón Estrada (Illustrator)

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Young Adult

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 7, 2026

Reviews

[MikaReadsFantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf’s Belly written by John August and illustrated by Simón Estrada is a stunning and imaginative reimagining of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, with clever nods to other beloved fairytales woven throughout. I absolutely loved this fresh interpretation — it felt both familiar and completely new at the same time.

The artwork in this Graphic Novel is gorgeous and truly elevates the story. Every panel feels alive, with expressive characters and rich, atmospheric settings that draw you straight into the world. Despite being inspired by traditional fairytales, the story stands out as something entirely its own, offering thoughtful lessons and emotional depth that linger long after you finish reading.

I especially adored the little sidekick squirrel — a charming touch of humor and heart — and the section after the main story, where the author shares their inspirations and creative process. It adds another layer of appreciation for the work as a whole.

I can’t recommend Wolf’s Belly enough. It’s a beautiful and meaningful read that will resonate with readers of all ages.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Roaring Brook Press for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sabrina Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations? Stunning
Story? Amazing
Flow of both? Absolutely phenomenal

I was absolutely amazed by how stunning and detailed the illustrations were in Wolf’s Belly. Every panel felt alive, pulling me deeper into the story with its striking color work and expressive artistry. This graphic novel takes the familiar tale of Little Red Riding Hood and transforms it into something entirely new—fresh, dark, and thought-provoking.

The storytelling was perfect, balancing emotion, suspense, and creativity in a way that felt both nostalgic and original. It’s a brilliant reimagining that lingers long after you finish the last page. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy because this is one of those stories that deserves a permanent spot on the shelf.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming graphic novel with a good message. It was interesting seeing so many fables turned on their heads, and I enjoyed how many were represented. The characters were interesting, especially Lu's family. The storytelling was also nice and had a good fairy tale flow to it.
The art design in this graphic novel was really great. The characters were varied, the backgrounds were beautiful, and the flow of the panels was easy to follow. I liked the color palettes used and found them very ambient.
Overall it was a solid graphic novel that I think fits into the "twisted fairy tales" genre very well.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's, Roaring Brook Press, and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Chelsea]

Review to come 6/23

[Eu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wolf's Belly by John August and Simón Estrada is a standalone middle-grade/YA graphic novel retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood." Although the target marketing audience may be young, readers of all ages can enjoy this reimagining of a classic tale. The book expands on the standard framework to tell the story of a young girl trying to find her own space in a family of geniuses, and gets a bit more than she bargained for during her quest...

Like many fairy tales, this one comes equipped with metaphors (ex. the wolf) and morals (this one was simple, with a bit of nuance to combat oversimplification). Like many contemporary fairy tale retellings, it also incorporates and references other stories, such as "Cinderella" and "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." Also, rather than waiting around to be rescued, this story makes a point of encouraging the heroine to save herself instead as part of her hero(ine)'s journey.

One of my favorite elements of this book was the artwork--in a word, gorgeous! I loved the art style and the intentional stylistic changes throughout the different sections of the story, including references to ye olde Little Golden Books! The panel layout and designs were also very well done, incorporated into the rest of the illustrations and panel art (this happened with the typography too). My one quibble was that the ending felt a bit too wrapped up in a Disney-esque style, but perhaps this was out of concern for the intended audience. Overall, though, this was a fun read, and I can't wait to see it in print!

Readers who enjoyed this book may also like: the Fractured Fables series by Alix E. Harrow, Sable Curse by Little Melon, Princess Princess Ever After by K. O'Neill, Cinderella Boy by Punko, and stories by Gail Carson Levine and Tamora Pierce. For another example of excellent page layouts, check out Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama.

[Steff Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't you see? You swallowed yourselves. Your foolish ambitions devoured you long before I could.

You know the feeling when you pick up a graphic novel and, the entire time you read it, you keep thinking to yourself that this should be an animated film? Yeah, that pretty much sums up the biggest of my initial takes on John August's Wolf's Belly. Beautifully illustrated by Simón Estrada, this reimagined tale of Little Red Riding Hood takes apart the fairy tales we all know and molds them into a new form, something with a simple—but not that simple—message. We all have a wolf.

Ambition is a lovely thing; it can bring so much good to a person's life, create exceptional challenges that, when overcome, result in tremendous growth and positive outcomes. But, as with anything we do or take in excess, ambition must also come in moderation. One should not blindly make their entire self and life about one thing. And this is at the core of Wolf's Belly. The story itself is absolutely beautiful, follows a very meaningful plot, and is overall about taking care of oneself which, in turn, allows for the care of others. And everyone has the ability to be better.

She hadn't slain her wolf, but she had tamed it.

This is a beautiful story with some of the best illustrations I've seen. I definitely see it as one that would be a great benefit to anyone who reads it. And yeah, this is what happens when you put a screenwriter and an animator together to write a graphic novel. I truly hope they follow through on expanding this to film.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading one Grimm story every night before bed for the past four or so months. This has been informative in a lot of ways, but it made my enjoyment of this graphic novel even more immense. The writing had the "Sit with me by the fire, and listen, as I tell you a story" tone that makes fairy tales so magical on the line level, and then the way all these different stories were woven into the wolf's belly was incredibly well-done. They were familiar, because of course they were, but August truly made them his own. The structure of the book was both satisfying narratively but also in theme with the fairy tale retelling goal of the piece.

There were a lot of fun characters that were, once again, really well done when considering all the fairy tales this story draws from. (My favorite was the philosopher.) I loved the themes of the story as well. It felt /almost/ meta without quite getting there in an obnoxious or removing from the story kind of way. It was simply an awareness of fairy tales and their simplicity, and a critique of that, and I really enjoyed this.

Simón Estrada's art was what drew me to this in the first place. I was stunned by the cover, and each page of the graphic novel had me equally riveted by the beautiful artwork. Shadow and light played such a beautiful role in this novel, and every page deserved to be stared at long past when the words themselves had been read.

Overall, if you're a fairy tale fan, especially of Grimm, or just love a good, spooky graphic novel, pick this up! There was a very tender message at the end especially when everything really came together thematically that made me choke up. So go read and have a good cry!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan for the review copy.

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Holy smokes - pun intended. This is SO good.

For context, I spend a lot of time researching and teaching tale cycles and variations in multiple college-level literature courses. It's rare that I find something that feels fresh in this area. This does.

Lu, known to the masses for her little red cape, is one of six kids. Her parents have a killer story, and her siblings are all known for something. Lu just wants to experience that same glory. So, she packs a basket, says she's going to grandma's house, and finds herself unexpectedly actually going there. You know what happens next: the titular wolf's belly. HOW she gets there, what she learns, what this all means? That's where things get interesting.

There is an ideal balance of traditional structure and modern form happening here that reflects everything that's fun about tales: what persists and why? What gets phased out in favor of a new more or motif? Lu is a worthy protagonist, and her discoveries are epic. Her actions are brave and smart and creative, and the ancillary characters pull their weight.

*Cutest puppy of all time.*

I really love how this story evolved and the distinct way it fits a tradition we all know. An added bonus? Absolutely incredible art.

This is a great read for tale and adventure fans of all ages and persuasions, and I can't wait to both recommend and teach this.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an art style and storytelling cadence reminiscent of Kazu Kibuishi in the best possible ways, this will be a big hit with younger readers who are okay with just a little bit of spookiness and peril.

Lu is the girl who would one day be reduced to just “Little Red Riding Hood,” her story shortened to a simple fairy tale and admonition to children who don’t follow the rules. But while Lu is breaking rules, she does so with brave intentions: she will slay the wolf who lurks in the forest.

But she doesn’t. Instead, Lu is swallowed whole, like many other fairy tale characters before her, falling into the makeshift town of Wolf’s Belly. Her grandmother is there. And a talking pig. A puppet maker. Two remorseful stepsisters. Anyone who the stories said ran afoul of the wolf, and many who were never connected to his tale. All alive, but trapped.

Lu is certain there’s a way out: up, obviously. But how?

The ending is epic and transformative, and actually quite cute!

The art throughout is strong, and each character has their own very firm outline and design. Even in the darkness of the wolf’s insides, the color is top notch, and the color the color in the climax and the final few pages is absolutely stunning.

At LEAST a good library pickup, but I’d also recommend this as a gift purchase for any kid with a love of adventure, steampunk, or fairy tale re-imaginings.

Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Legend_of_Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was picked to read this arc. I read this story with my 10 and 4 year old children. So you’ll get 3 reviews.


This retelling of red riding hood was so cute. You follow Lu, who is red riding hood as we know it. She is 1 of 6 kids and wants to make a name for herself and to be remembered. As the title suggests she gets swallowed up and it’s her adventure in the wolf’s belly. Without giving any spoilers, the story is well written and creative. I enjoyed reading this with my children. The art work is amazing and fun to look at. I’m not sure which was my favorite part the cameos of the others fairytale characters in the story or the ending. I would highly recommend reading this story especially if you have younger children and want something fun to read with beautiful artwork.


My 10 year old rated this 100/100. She said that she loves how brave Lu is and how she wants to find the wolf. She also said that she loves the ending and the artwork. She is now requesting I buy this when it comes out because she wants to read it again. When she found out this was an arc (after I explained what that was) she thought it was the coolest thing ever to read this before it is out.

My 4 year old said the pictures are beautiful. She also had fun “reading” along with me and telling me what was going on in the pictures.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf’s Belly is an engaging and whimsical middle grade graphic novel that reimagines Little Red Riding Hood in an original and imaginative way. Rather than ending with the wolf’s defeat, this retelling explores Lu’s (Little Red) journey into the wolf’s belly—a magical, otherworldly dimension that encompasses everything and everyone the wolf has ever eaten.

John August’s story unfolds as a short but meaningful fable, with highlights an emotional arc. At its core, this novel is about how one wrong choice does not have to define a person, and finding one’s courage in unexpected places. The message is subtle but clear making it well-suited and easily understandable for younger readers.

Simón Estrada’s illustrations are absolutely beautiful and elevate the storytelling abilities in this novel. The artwork and usage of color creates a rich, expressive, and atmospheric environment that feels both eerie and wondrous.

Overall, the Wolf’s Belly is a thoughtful, visually stunning graphic novel that will appeal to fans of reimagined fairy tales with a lot of heart. This is a strong addition to middle grade graphic novel genre!!

A special thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy for review. My reviews always reflect my honest thoughts and feelings.

4.5 stars rounded up

[LL Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: 3.75

Wolf’s Belly is the story of what really happened to Little Red Riding Hood. Lu comes from a family of adventurers and wants to make a name for herself. So she sets off to hunt the wolf. But things don’t go as planned. She is devoured and finds herself in Wolf’s Belly, a community of other fairy tale characters who’ve all but given up on finding a way out. But not Lu. She knows no kindly woodsman is coming to rescue them. Sh’s determined to find a way out of the wolf’s belly on her own.

Wolf’s Belly is a lovely graphic novel reframing the parable of Little Red Riding Hood to as a warning of what can happen when we want too much. I loved the way John August wove characters from other fairy tales into the cast. It reminded me of a middle grade version of Bill Willingham’s Fables. Simón Estrada’s illustrations are lusciously colorful and detailed, reminiscent of Pixar.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

[Aliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of little red riding hood that asks us what stories about ourselves are worth telling. Lu feels as if she has nothing that defines her, insecure in a family filled with great adventurers, merchants, inventors, and artists. Feeling lost in her big family, she sets out to hunt the Big Bad Wolf, and enters a new dimension when she is inadvertently swallowed. It stands on its own two feet as a piece of folklore, branching out from the original story—and other popular fables—in creative and engaging ways.

Stunningly illustrated, Wolf’s Belly uses color to its advantage—soft browns for the rustic village, shades of dark green for a large, moody forest, the black, grey and orange of a menacing wolf caught in shadow. And of course red—the color that brings our attention right to Lu every time she appears on the panel.

A satisfying middle grade graphic novel that feels almost cinematic, Wolf’s Belly could provide a satisfying illustrated alternative to the the Sisters Grimm series.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Liz Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly fun twist on the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood. I loved all the references spread throughout the story to different fairy tales, folk tales, and fables and how August used the Wolf to connect them all. The world felt magical and spooky in just the right places. I greatly enjoyed the character development present in the story and how it wasn’t just Lu learning a lesson, but everyone swallowed by the wolf.

The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful and immersive. Every character felt unique in their design and like they stood on their own. The coloring I felt really brought the story to life from Lu’s red hood to the fiery eyes of the Wolf to cold cavern-like dampness inside of the Wolf’s belly. Estrada did an amazing job pushing readers head first into the world created by August. I would definitely recommend this to middle grade readers!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Monica Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She hadn’t slain her wolf, but she had tamed it. And that was the true victory.”

“Wolf’s Belly” felt like I was watching a film. It makes perfect sense that one of the authors, John August, is a screenwriter, and the illustrator, Simón Estrada, works in animation. The storyline was instantly captivating, because, as the author’s note states, The Little Red Riding Hood has so many unanswered questions. I appreciated the immersive storyline related to the protagonist’s family and her motive for visiting the grandmother. The chapters were divided up so perfectly that each section felt like its own adventure. I applaud the authors for incorporating numerous lessons that children can learn from, such as the value of hard-work or the acceptance of boredom. I recommend this for children 7 years and up, but cautiously if the child has a history of being afraid of fictional monsters.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

[lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC of Wolf's Belly!

This was such a fun retelling! I loved the art style, I think it fit so well with the darker atmosphere of the story.

I loved how even though Wolf's Belly is meant to be a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, there are also other fairy tales mixed in like The Three Little Pigs (the 4th one though), Cinderella's step sisters, The Boy Who Cried Wolf. I loved the contrast between Little Red Riding Hood (Lu) and her family. They all had an accomplishment or talent that they were know for, except Lu, but of course her story would soon be told, just not as it happened. I like that we get her backstory, which she doesn't have in the original story and I like that the Wolf also gets a backstory and he's not a simple fairytale villain. Lu changing his story using his story book was such a cool concept! Again, I had such a fun time!

Definitely Recommend this graphic novel!

[Mrs_R_Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for providing access to an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy fairytale retellings, especially when the damsel in distress takes matters into her own hands instead of waiting for someone else to act. *Wolf's Belly* is a reimagining of the Little Red Riding Hood story. The book begins by highlighting that, although past stories have often referred to the main character by her clothing, her name is Lu. Characters from other fairy tales also make appearances, adding new twists to their own stories.

The illustrations are exceptional. The story feels fresh and relatable.

I truly believe that, although this title is intended for upper elementary and middle school students, my high school students will enjoy it as well.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What big teeth this book has! Even marketed as children’s fiction or middle grade, this story is so clever and detailed it can be enjoyed by everyone. An insightful retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that fills out Red’s life and motivations (and gives her a name!), this book was so imaginative and fun to discover. There’s a whole world there in the Wolf’s Belly full of characters to relate to and learn from. The art in this book is beautiful, and I was stunned by how the scenes conveyed nuanced attitudes of the characters- I would love to read more books with art like this. I would love to have seen more of what our main character learned from her experiences and seen more of this incredible family, but that is in part due to not being ready to leave this fun story.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my 8-year-old son and this was a really cool story! This "true" retelling of Little Red Riding Hood was very clever and deep, teaching kids about how uncompromising desires can lead you down a dark insatiable path, but there is still hope and redemption possible with acceptance and gratitude. The art was also very well done and enhanced the story. This was a beautiful story that we both enjoyed! We both definitely recommend this read!

From my 8-year-old son:
I really liked this story! It was an interesting mystery, and we couldn't put the book down. I also liked the references to other classic stories I have read, like the three little pigs.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Sophy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood puts a fresh and meaningful spin on the beloved classic. While keeping the heart of the original tale, this version adds new depth and a thoughtful message that encourages readers to look beyond appearances and think critically about trust and bravery.

The artwork is stunning—rich, expressive, and full of color—which truly brings the story to life in a new way.

For parents and educators:
A great choice for elementary-aged readers, this adaptation offers opportunities to discuss themes of caution, independence, and kindness. It’s perfect for introducing children to classic fairy tales with a modern, empowering touch.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clever retelling of Little Red Hiding Hood that asks “what really happened after Little Red and her grandma were swallowed by the wolf?”

The answer may surprise you.

The illustrations were stunning, and the book offers an imaginative, refreshing spin on a classic fable, but the story felt a little underdeveloped. I wanted more complex, interesting versions of these fairytale characters that we don’t see in the original source material. Overall, a fun, quick read that left me wanting a little more.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel retelling of little red riding hood has gorgeous illustrations and a consistent creepy vibe perfect for fans of slightly scary stories and fantastical setups. My eleven-year-old and I read this together and the target audience quite liked it. We both agreed that we liked this telling of the story better than the original version that we've all heard. There are other fables and myths folded up into the story in a way that I quite liked and I liked that there was even an amazing moral to the story. A hit to add to your list.
Thanks to the publisher for the digital ARC.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely LOVED this graphic novel. The art was beautifully drawn and colored and the style really added to the story. The plot was great; it was a unique re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood that kept me hooked (finishing it in a single sitting!). The characters were likable and diverse, and our protagonist is a fantastic model for young children learning to find their niche in a crazy world. Overall, would highly recommend to any reader who enjoys fairy tale retellings with unique and gorgeous artistic styles.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for the DRC *
A masterfully remixed telling of Red Riding Hood, this graphic novel empowers, broadens and gives new life to a well-trodden fairytale. Lu's optimism and determination in the face of adversity was inspiring and the simple yet effective story that draws in elements of other known tales like the Three Pigs is well-executed. The art is smooth and clean, and I especially enjoyed the smoky depictions of the Big Bad Wolf. Scary but not too scary for kids, and a slam dunk for kids who enjoy the classic fairytales.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this graphic novel. I adored this new look at fairytale and fable! Beautiful artwork with an inventive, original story. Lu's version of Little Red Riding hood gives our protagonist so much agency, ingenuity, and bravery. Lu gets the chance to prove herself, while still having a supportive and loving family behind her. I liked the easter-egg style cameos of other fairytale villains or heroes, as well as seeing their choices come home to roost. An excellent addition to the middle grade graphic novel genre.

[Danielle Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! 4.5/5 stars for me. There can never be enough fairy tale retellings/interpretations for me, especially Little Red Riding Hood. The use of vivid red throughout is AMAZING! The wolf teeth, Lu’s cape, her grandma’s hair bow. The storylines of all her siblings. The weaving in of other fairy tales was so tasteful and so good! It made me want more in this series of all the other characters or more Lu. Will definitely be purchasing when it releases!

[Allison Maddox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood. The art is captivating. I enjoyed seeing the inclusion of various fairytales characters and how they reflected and learned from their mistakes. This version of the story gives much more character to Little Red- she's curious, imaginative, has excellent leadership skills. Seeing her family lore and more lore behind the Wolf's perspective too was really cool.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fantastic retelling of this story. I will never think of the story of the big bad wolf the same way again. Among others, if you know what I mean. I was a little unsure about this one at first, but then...Wolf's Belly. And it all got better from there. My daughter, who is a dog LOVER, is going to love this book. And the wolf? Don't even get me started. Lol. I am of the opinion that this one works perfectly. No complaints.

[Althea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good fairy tale reinterpretation, and this book was a very unique exploration of Little Red Riding Hood. It was surprisingly philosophical for a children's book, but the high stakes and richly emotional art will keep kids interested as they learn from it. Lu is a very relatable main character, especially for kids that have siblings. Some side characters are based on other fairy tales, and many of them have rich personalities. This story manages to be both entertaining and inspiring.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and inventive twist! Between the story within a story (within a story...), the tongue-in-cheek references to several other fairy-tale standards, and the turns that make a well-known story new, this book was a fantastically enjoyable read. The illustrations manage to be menacing and creepy but also that fairy-tale sweet you expect. I loved the epilogue, the "moral story" it turned out to be (like all fairy tales), and the deadpan wit!