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A Werewolf Named Oliver James
On his way home one moonlit night, a strange thing happens to Oliver James -- he unexpectedly turns into a werewolf! He can't believe it, it's so . . . AMAZING.
Suddenly, he can run super-fast, leap super-high, and lift trucks with his super-strength! But even werewolves need to be home in time for dinner and Oliver James races to make it back. There's only one problem: what on earth will his parents say when they see him?
Suddenly, he can run super-fast, leap super-high, and lift trucks with his super-strength! But even werewolves need to be home in time for dinner and Oliver James races to make it back. There's only one problem: what on earth will his parents say when they see him?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2018
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 1, 2019
On his way home from band practice one evening, Oliver James is unexpectedly transformed into a werewolf. After an initial period of confusion - why is everyone running away?, he wonders - our hero is quite excited. Being a werewolf comes with quite a few fun qualities, such as super speed and strength. But when Oliver James rushes home, so that he will not be late for dinner, he suddenly has a worrying thought: what will his parents says? Will they be frightened? Will they accept him...?
Although A Werewolf Named Oliver James is apparently British author/illustrator Nicholas John Frith's third picture-book, it is the first from him that I have encountered. The story here is entertaining, focusing more on the fun of transformation, rather than the spooky thrills sometimes associated with werewolves and other creatures of the night. The artwork is likewise appealing, particularly those scenes (and they are frequent) where Frith uses a darker background, from purple to gray. Recommended to young children who wonder what being a werewolf (or any other supernatural creature) would be like, as well as to those searching for reassurance stories about our parents always accepting us.
Although A Werewolf Named Oliver James is apparently British author/illustrator Nicholas John Frith's third picture-book, it is the first from him that I have encountered. The story here is entertaining, focusing more on the fun of transformation, rather than the spooky thrills sometimes associated with werewolves and other creatures of the night. The artwork is likewise appealing, particularly those scenes (and they are frequent) where Frith uses a darker background, from purple to gray. Recommended to young children who wonder what being a werewolf (or any other supernatural creature) would be like, as well as to those searching for reassurance stories about our parents always accepting us.
November 4, 2018
I’m not sure what you, the author, illustrator, editor or publishers may have seen in this story but, I’m seeing a young boy of African descent on the streets at night being perceived as a monster. I do not refer to him as African American because this book was originally published in the United Kingdom. He’s black or of African descent. He has super human strength and white people are terrified of him and quite actually, he comes from a family of monsters. We simply cannot afford to represent young black boys in this manner.
Full review is on my blog https://campbele.wordpress.com/2018/0...
Full review is on my blog https://campbele.wordpress.com/2018/0...
November 26, 2025
So adorable!
A cute story of a young boy discovering that he can turn into a werewolf. After a brief moment of shock, he enjoys the new abilities that he gained from the transformation like speed and agility. The only problem? Other people get scared and run away when they see him. His parents are waiting for him to come home for dinner. Will they be scared too?
Good representation for characters of color and a subtle reference to profiling but young readers will like this cute werewolf book. The pictures are really sweet though sometimes I thought the colors were too dark and it was hard to see things. Maybe that was the point since most of the story was set at night. Otherwise, I enjoyed this story. Now I want to see an animated TV film adaption!
The story ends with a nice message that if children feel insecure about themselves and they struggle with fitting in, their parents can be a safe refuge for them. The ending does not reveal if Oliver's friends accept him as a werewolf but since we know his parents are werewolves too maybe they know a community of werewolves where Oliver can make new friends. This book feels a bit like a type of "coming out" story but it's subtle.
This book is out of print, but readers can access the e-book of this story on Internet Archive.
A cute story of a young boy discovering that he can turn into a werewolf. After a brief moment of shock, he enjoys the new abilities that he gained from the transformation like speed and agility. The only problem? Other people get scared and run away when they see him. His parents are waiting for him to come home for dinner. Will they be scared too?
Good representation for characters of color and a subtle reference to profiling but young readers will like this cute werewolf book. The pictures are really sweet though sometimes I thought the colors were too dark and it was hard to see things. Maybe that was the point since most of the story was set at night. Otherwise, I enjoyed this story. Now I want to see an animated TV film adaption!
The story ends with a nice message that if children feel insecure about themselves and they struggle with fitting in, their parents can be a safe refuge for them. The ending does not reveal if Oliver's friends accept him as a werewolf but since we know his parents are werewolves too maybe they know a community of werewolves where Oliver can make new friends. This book feels a bit like a type of "coming out" story but it's subtle.
This book is out of print, but readers can access the e-book of this story on Internet Archive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2018
Have to keep this in mind next Halloween.
July 5, 2018
Every day after band practice, Oliver James must be home by six o'clock sharp for dinner. However, tonight is different from the usual. All of his friends run away from him and the bus doesn't stop. Oliver James is confused until he notices his reflection in a puddle.
He's a werewolf! He quickly learns that he has supernatural abilities like super speed and a strong sense of smell. During his excitement from his discovery, Oliver loses track of time and realizes he's going to be late for dinner. At first, he's scared because he doesn't know how they're going to react to his fur, but he quickly realizes he was worrying for nothing because they're werewolves too!
A WEREWOLF NAMED OLIVER JAMES is the perfect read for fans of werewolves. I only wish that the author could've had his parents explain how they became werewolves at the end. It left me wondering why, but this is still a very fun read. I enjoyed it a lot and hope there's more like it!
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of werewolves and monsters. It was a different read with spooky fun illustrations.
He's a werewolf! He quickly learns that he has supernatural abilities like super speed and a strong sense of smell. During his excitement from his discovery, Oliver loses track of time and realizes he's going to be late for dinner. At first, he's scared because he doesn't know how they're going to react to his fur, but he quickly realizes he was worrying for nothing because they're werewolves too!
A WEREWOLF NAMED OLIVER JAMES is the perfect read for fans of werewolves. I only wish that the author could've had his parents explain how they became werewolves at the end. It left me wondering why, but this is still a very fun read. I enjoyed it a lot and hope there's more like it!
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of werewolves and monsters. It was a different read with spooky fun illustrations.
June 1, 2019
One evening, while returning home after band practice, Oliver James transforms into a werewolf, which frightens his friends as well as passersby.
While this story may touch upon the prejudice against werewolves, which can be read as a metaphor for prejudice in wider society, it's primarily a fun story with no moral. Oliver inexplicably transforms into a werewolf on his way home one evening. He can't understand why everyone who sees him screams and runs away until he sees his reflection and discovers what has happened. Although he doesn't like scaring people, he does enjoy testing out his newly acquired supernatural abilities.
When the clock strikes 6 o'clock, Oliver realizes that he is late for dinner. He doesn't know how his parents will react to his being a werewolf, but he does know how angry his mother is when he is late for dinner, so he bites the bullet and goes home where he discovers , so all's well that ends well.
While this story may touch upon the prejudice against werewolves, which can be read as a metaphor for prejudice in wider society, it's primarily a fun story with no moral. Oliver inexplicably transforms into a werewolf on his way home one evening. He can't understand why everyone who sees him screams and runs away until he sees his reflection and discovers what has happened. Although he doesn't like scaring people, he does enjoy testing out his newly acquired supernatural abilities.
When the clock strikes 6 o'clock, Oliver realizes that he is late for dinner. He doesn't know how his parents will react to his being a werewolf, but he does know how angry his mother is when he is late for dinner, so he bites the bullet and goes home where he discovers , so all's well that ends well.
April 17, 2018
Frith, Nicholas John A Werewolf Named Oliver James. PICTURE BOOK. Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic), 2018. $18. 9781338254334.
After band practice, Oliver James has to be home for dinner by 6 pm. While he is waiting with his friends for the bus, though, a full moon comes out and he becomes a werewolf. Of course his friends run away afraid, but he finds there are benefits like super strength and speed – to get home to his werewolf parents in time for dinner.
The friends’ reaction to his new werewolf-ness and his antics as he discovers his new powers is cute. However – I have a hard time believing that werewolf parents wouldn’t have prepared him for his impending change. Someone who likes humor and a little gothic spookiness will enjoy this.
EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
After band practice, Oliver James has to be home for dinner by 6 pm. While he is waiting with his friends for the bus, though, a full moon comes out and he becomes a werewolf. Of course his friends run away afraid, but he finds there are benefits like super strength and speed – to get home to his werewolf parents in time for dinner.
The friends’ reaction to his new werewolf-ness and his antics as he discovers his new powers is cute. However – I have a hard time believing that werewolf parents wouldn’t have prepared him for his impending change. Someone who likes humor and a little gothic spookiness will enjoy this.
EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
May 17, 2018
{My thoughts} – Oliver James is not your typical little boy. In the beginning of the book he goes to school and his mom tells him to be home by six sharp for dinner. However, he gets home a little late on the account that he turns into a werewolf and finds it difficult to get anyone to listen to him when he is trying to find a way home.
The story in this book is really nice and it’s an easy explanation for a child to understand as to how werewolves come about. The words on the pages and the illustrations go hand and hand. However, I am not a huge fan of the black text on the purple. It is a bit difficult to read and not my kind of thing.
I recommend this book to any child that has an interest in supernatural creatures. I think that they will enjoy this book a lot. It also has the potential to become a childhood favorite.
The story in this book is really nice and it’s an easy explanation for a child to understand as to how werewolves come about. The words on the pages and the illustrations go hand and hand. However, I am not a huge fan of the black text on the purple. It is a bit difficult to read and not my kind of thing.
I recommend this book to any child that has an interest in supernatural creatures. I think that they will enjoy this book a lot. It also has the potential to become a childhood favorite.
May 11, 2019
Oliver James leads a most ordinary life until one evening on his way home from band practice, he turns into a werewolf. At first, he's clueless and then upset because everyone seems to be running away from him. But then he realizes that his werewolf status has its advantages. Still, he worries about his parents' reactions since he's arrived home late. As it turns out, he need not have worried. I'm not sure how they kept this all a secret in the past or why 6 o'clock was the magic hour, but young readers probably won't care. They'll just enjoy the story and imagining what it might be like to be turned into a werewolf. Caregivers and parents need not worry. The book isn't scary at all, and neither is Oliver even his hairier version.
December 12, 2019
A Werewolf Named Oliver James by Nicholas John Frith is a fiction children's picture book for both boys and girls ages about two to six. My favorite part was when all his friends ran away from him and when he runs home super speedily just in time for dinner. I think other kids would like that he turns into a werewolf and gets super powers! Nicholas John Frith really enjoys writing and illustrating books for kids and he also enjoys drawing food and animals, which is perfect for illustrating A Werewolf Named Oliver James! It's perfect for Halloween and any other time, too!
Reviewed by Dominic D., age 9, Tampa Bay Mensa
Reviewed by Dominic D., age 9, Tampa Bay Mensa
December 2, 2020
Young Oliver James is waiting for the bus to take him home from school one night when suddenly he transforms into a werewolf. Although all the other kids run away, e doesn't immediately realize what's happened until someone shouts "Werewolf!" And even then he's confused. "Where?" But when he figures out that HE'S the werewolf, he thinks that's amazing. He's fast and strong and all of his senses are heightened! In all of his excitement he almost forgets that dinner is at 6 sharp, so he better get along or he'll be late. When he gets to his house, however, he wonders how his family will respond to his transformation... (No need to worry, Oliver James!) Improbable and funny!
August 31, 2018
I'm in a Halloween mood already and so I was excited when I got handed some new books at work and saw this one about a werewolf but I sadly didn't love it very much. The storyline wasn't too bad, but I found the aesthetics of it lacking and felt like it would be difficult and not super appealing for a child to read/follow along with with the drastic color changes (black writing on dark purple pages is hard as an adult, I think it's important to offer more contrast in letters from the background to help children)
November 23, 2018
Even though this was a unique plot for a children's book, it not a must have for the elementary library. On a random evening on the way home from band practice, a boy turns into a werewolf. After his first few encounters with other citizens in the town, he realizes he is a werewolf. He hurries home so he won't worry his mother but becomes hesitant wondering if he whom he might frighten. He discovers that his parents are also werewolves too. My logic had too many questions to appreciate this book. Kids may find the topic and illustrations amusing but I doubt it will be a hit.
August 30, 2019
A fun book for any full moon sees Oliver James turning into a werewolf for the first time. He had no idea, but he loves his super strength, super speed, and super everything. But he doesn’t like it when his friends run away. This book is simple and charming. I like the illustrations, however some are hard to see because the author rendered them in similar shades of purple.
October 13, 2020
Oliver James is waiting for the bus on a regular evening, when he turns into a werewolf! Amazed by all of the super senses he has, he explores the town-only to realize that all of his friends are terrified of him. He is worried that his parents will also be afraid, but he goes back home anyway...to find that his parents are also werewolves!
August 23, 2018
This is a fun book, you don't see the subject of werewolves very often the focus of a picture book. That being said this book is probably better for elementary age children.
Dark, moody, fall like illustrations are great.
Dark, moody, fall like illustrations are great.
June 19, 2019
6/18/2019 ~ Huh? A boy suddenly changes into a werewolf, with no explanation? Why today? Why not last month? And how have his parents not warned him about this new experience? Very dark illustrations that fit the nighttime setting. Interesting twist at the end.
October 27, 2021
A funny and unique story about a little boy who has no idea he is a werewolf. Suddenly all of Oliver James' friends run and other chaos ensures, but he discovers he can run super fast and jump super high. What will he do with his newly discovered situation?
January 23, 2023
Another story that allows teachers to follow their students' interest in magical creatures, while maintaining the quality of the books they are providing. This one fits the bill - and not just for Halloween!
May 27, 2023
This is a story about the myth of a werewolf. A boy named Oliver James turns into a werewolf on his way home one moonlit night. He finally gets home after several times frightening others. This book was dedicated for anyone who missed the bus.
January 1, 2025
This was a cute story that the reader is able to make super fun with various voices and changes in pitch. Fun to read to the boys but the story is.. meh. I did love the continuation of the purple/brown/black color-scheme.
July 13, 2018
The story wasn't spectacular, just a humorous, lighthearted tale about a boy discovering he is a werewolf, but the illustrations are retro-cute and I liked the twist with his parents at the end.
July 24, 2018
I do love a good old-fashioned mindf*ck in a picture book!
August 18, 2018
Not 100% sure what the point of this book was, but I still enjoyed it. The illustrations were great and really evoked that fall/Halloween feeling
September 12, 2018
This book is SO cute! Really sweet, not in your face message. I am definitely incorporating it into one of my storytimes :)
September 14, 2018
This was a "meh" one for me. It was cute, but not anything to get excited about. Probably won't be the first to come to mind when I look for Halloween books or anything.
September 15, 2018
but why did he turn into a werewolf????
October 2, 2018
Hilarious and completely satisfying in both word and illustrations. Kids will love this.
October 31, 2018
This was a fun, slightly spooky Halloween read for a younger crowd. I very much enjoyed the illustrations and the colors chosen! The ending was a welcome surprise.
November 2, 2018
Children will love it, but adults will likely question the parenting techniques of Oliver's parents. A cute "spooky" yet safe book for young children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews