The Way Home for Wolf

by Rachel Bright, Jim Field (Illustrations)

A touching story of an independent-minded wolf cub who finds his way home.
Wolf cub Wilf doesn't want help from anyone. Whatever it is, he can do it all by himself. But when he finds himself lost and alone in the chill of the Arctic night, Wilf discovers that sometimes we all need the helping hand of a friend.

A stunningly illustrated story from the creators of the bestselling, multi-award-winning The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Fiction, Wolves, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Rachel is a writer of words, drawer of pictures and champion of silver linings. She exhibits widely, writes tirelessly and frequently creates slightly unhinged characters.

Her written work includes children’s stories and poems, clever advertising copy and lots of other stuff besides. Her illustrative work is a smorgasboard of giant, hand-printed poems, mind-bogglingly detailed gouache illustrations and a cacophony of quirky prints and etchings.

She explores the lovliness of words and the magic of pictures, revelling in a world of jam-eating miniature bears and other made-up animals.

Her work aims to capture a free way of thinking - one which makes you feel anything is possible, a feeling all too easily lost with the end of childhood. When we’re all grown-up, sometimes we just need a little nudge to remember it’s been there all along.

*Rachel has also been an air hostess, a garden designer and a lifeguard. She often runs a really long way and was once invited to the selection of the British ultra running team. She also once won a date with Man of the millennium and has been trying to live it down ever since.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My latest children's book from this months book box. Absolutely adorable, with an important message. A cute little wolf cub named Wilf, wants to lead his den to a new home. He's too young of course but has his own scary adventure. With cooperation from others, it turns out well. Gorgeous illustrations.

Can't wait to read this to my granddaughters.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the illustration style, but the story of a little wolf learning that it might be a little early to be striking out on his own just about put me to sleep.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Bright ist eine meiner Lieblingsbilderbuchautorinen. So eine wunderschöne, herzerwärmende Geschichte. Ein kleiner Wolf, der denkt, er ist alt genug, nur um festzustellen, dass er allein doch nicht so gut zurecht kommt. Die Zeichnungen waren wunderschön und auch die Geschichte hat mich sehr berührt. Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass ichs lieber mögen würde als Der Löwe in dir, aber Kleiner Wolf ist bei weitem besser.

[Melanie Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es ist sehr süß und auch die Message gefällt mir sehr gut. Dennoch: den vierten Stern gab es jetzt nur wegen des Illustrationsstils. Wenn man sich schon Wölfe als Träger der Geschichte aussucht, dann sollte man vielleicht mehr Details auf die natürliche Lebensweise von Wölfen legen. Ein einzelner Wolfswelpe ist unrealistisch und dass er auf der Suche nach einem neuen Zuhause zurückgelassen wird, ebenfalls.

Jaaa, es ist ein Kinderbuch, aber Wölfe sind meine Lieblingstiere - hier ist Potential verschwendet worden, das gezeigt hätte, wie sozial Wölfe sind und die Geschichte hätte mit ein paar anderen Elementen genauso gut funktioniert UND eben Kindern das Leben von Wölfen näher bringen können.

[Eline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top verhaal met beeldschone illustraties! Het mooie rijmen maakt het boek fijn om voor te lezen.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a lovely message within the story.

[Adele · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few gorgeous landscape illustration spreads do not make up for a really stupid story. Then I deducted one more star for flagrant misuse of wolves in a children's picture book. Having the wolf pack just walk off not even noticing they were leaving the pup behind is unforgivable to a wolf-lover such as myself.

[Petra Valković · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ako ovo nije nešto najslađe što sam pročitala u zadnje vrijeme! Priča i sama poruka koju ova slikovnica nosi su sve. Za mene još veći bonus je mali vuk 🐺❤️ Ilustracije su prekrasne i čine ovu knjižicu još toplijom 🤗

[Miss Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This rating would be higher, but the narwhal that helps the wolf pup is a she, but only male narwhals have the tooth that makes them look like "sea unicorns"

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wolfje wil naar huis

Vertaling,m is niet helemaal goed gedaan, spelfouten en rijmt niet lekker, jammer! Boekje is minder leuk dan die van de leeuw en de eekhoorntjes

[Markku Kesti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ihan lämminhenkinen kuvaus laumastaan eksyneestä pikku sudesta jota muut eläimet auttavat löytämään taas laumansa luokse. Konsepti on koeteltu ja joka vuosi kuvakirjoissa toistuva, mutta tämä oli varsin mukavasti toteutettu. Melkein neljä tähteä joka tällä kertaa pyöristyy ylöspäin.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And true to his word, Wilf is different now, and his world seems much smaller and warmer somehow. Since wherever life takes you. wherever you roam, we are all just a handful of friendships away from home."

Magnificent art and beautifully written! Reminded me when I was little and my uncle told me stories in rhyme 🥹💕

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

De nacht was vol sterren – getwinkel, geflonker.
Het lied van de wind waaide zacht door het donker.
De maan stond te stralen, de zon hield zich schuil
en hoog op de rotsen klonk wolvengehuil.

Wolfje vindt zichzelf al erg groot en stoer, hij kan alles wel alleen. Als de roedel wolven ’s avonds wil gaan slapen is hun grot bezet. Wolfje vindt heel eigenwijs dat hij de anderen al de weg kan wijzen, maar loopt toch achteraan en raakt hen kwijt. Hij verdwaalt, krijgt het koud en door de sneeuw kan hij het spoor van de andere wolven niet meer volgen. En dat is nog niet alles. Wolfje zakt door het ijs. Wolfje is alleen in de donkere nacht en wil niet huilen. En dan krijgt hij uit onverwachte hoek hulp van veel onbekenden. Hij maakt nieuwe vrienden in de witte wereld. En komt hij thuis?

Dit prentenboek heeft alle ingrediënten voor een kerstverhaal. Donker, koud, eenzaam, verdriet, vriendschap, warmte en blijdschap; compleet met sneeuw en het besef dat je samen tot iets moois komt door er voor elkaar te zijn en hulp leert te aanvaarden.

De werkelijk mooie illustraties van Jim Field geven het verhaal een bijzondere sfeer en veel kijkplezier in details. De tekst is grotendeels op rijm mooi vertaald door Bette Westera en geeft ruimte voor eigen interpretatie tijdens het voorlezen.

Een kind zal zich met die lieve eigenwijze wolfje kunnen identificeren, maar ook volwassenen die soms iemand nodig hebben die je helpt, omarmt en veilig thuis brengt. Aanrader.

[Zeilenlieblich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein wunderschönes Kinderbuch, mit schönen Illustrationen und einer tollen Message!

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one in Dutch, but will write my review in English.


This is an adorable book about a tiny wolf who thinks he is very tough and very awesome getting lost from his pack and learns a very wise lesson in the end.

I wasn’t always charmed with the tiny wolf, I just don’t like characters with a too big of an ego, I prefer my characters awesome but humble. Still, I did think he was adorable and very cute. Plus, if he has learned anything from this lesson, I am sure he will become a great leader of a pack one day. Not today though, but someday I can see him lead a pack of his own.

I was a bit surprised that the pack didn’t notice that our tiny wolf couldn’t keep up. That they didn’t notice him missing until it was probably way too late. How? I get that he is slightly annoying with his attitude, but I just can’t imagine why they would forget/lose him. Oh well, guess I shouldn’t think about it.

At first everything seems dramatic, but then something happens and I was so happy for our tiny wolf. He is getting a nice lesson that it isn’t only about him and that he should also trust in others. Sometimes you need a hand finding your way. Oh Oh, can I pet that cute butterfly/moth? That one was just adorable.

The ending was predictable, but still I was very happy. It was very cute and sweet.

I am sure kids will love this one. It has a cute wolf, some excitement and adventure, and then a sweet ending.

Oh, and I cannot forget the amazing illustrations by Jim Field, he is really one amazing illustrator.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered this book for my son Cedar during his Scholastic book fair. Cedar loves wolves so I thought he would enjoy it. We both appreciated the beautiful illustrations on every page. It is so engaging and the art is so expressive, it feels like watching a movie! The highlight is the illustrations featuring Aurora Borealis. Another bonus is the story features other animals like a narwhal, seal and arctic fox! Be aware the story is told in rhyme, which is honestly not my favorite kind. Sometimes my son doesn't respond or pay attention to rhyming stories, but he did like this one. The rhymes have a Dr Seuss feel. The story might be distressing for younger readers because it is about a young wolf who gets separated from his wolf pack family. There are a couple sad pictures. However the wolf pup makes friends with other animals who help him find his way. In the end he does reunite with his family, so it is happy and all is well. A sweet heartwarming book.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het eerst wat mij opvalt aan dit prentenboek zijn de ongelooflijk mooie platen van Jim Field. De mooie en bijpassende kleuren passen goed bij het verhaal. Het op rijm gemaakte verhaal is ook erg goed. Je kunt er meer mee dan alleen (voor)lezen.

Wolfje denkt dat hij alles aan kan, maar als hij de de rest van de roedel kwijtraakt blijkt dit toch niet helemaal zo te zijn. Hij krijgt hulp uit onverwachte hoek en maakt nieuwe vrienden. Een mooi boek over elkaar helpen en hulp aanvaarden.

[Karley Barfield]

Text-to Teaching Connection
The Way Home For Wolf is such a feel-good tale of friendship for young readers. Wolf is very strong and independent, he sets a good example for young children what it means to be independent. After reading the story aloud to the class I will have them ask questions about the book and encourage them to tell me what they liked and disliked about the book. I will layout a large sheet of paper and support the children as they make a physical map of the story and the different locations the wolf passes through. Such as the mountains, past the polar bear cave, over the icy banks through the blizzard, and more. The students will take turns drawing the settings of these locations until they have created the map.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all Rachel Bright books, The Way Home for Wolf has great messages about the strength of a group over the individual, and the importance of friendships and supporting each other in challenging times. The illustrations of this one have very strong ice age vibes which I liked, but didn’t quite capture Sid as much as some of her other books. A fun story with just the odd few lines that are a bit of a tongue twister for the reader.

[Nick Swarbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s good to see the positive sides of wolves , and this story of a little wolf separated from his family is - at that level - both warm and accurate. The illustrations are beautiful, too. The text is just a little too cute for me - perhaps it’s to do with the rhymes - but it is just a matter of taste for me...

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Field’s dark palette is a little drab and somewhat ominous at times, especially for a bedtime story, but the well-drawn illustrations effectively dramatize Wilf’s heroic adventure from hubris to humility. Bright’s rhymes offer a solid, redemptive moral: “Since wherever life takes you, wherever you roam, we’re all just a handful of friendships from home.”

[Megan Lougheed · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.8 stars] First of all, I really enjoyed seeing these illustrations. I loved the detail in the fur, and the different compositions used. It’s truly adorable. About the story itself: It’s about a little wolf, who thinks he won’t need anyone because he is big and strong, ready to face the world on his own. Little does he know (but will learn) that it’s okay to be happy with where you are now, and that it’s okay to get help from friends.

[امیرمحمد حیدری · Rating 3 out of 5]

یک کتاب بسیار جالب برای رفع غرور کاذب، و البته فهماندن اهمیت دوستی و کنار هم بودن برای کودکان. تصویر کتاب اولین چیزی بود که جلبم کرد و تا انتها هم برایم بامزه و زیبا ماند. کتاب، ریزمفاهیمی همچون قدردانی را نیز در بر دارد.

[Shannon]

Stunning artwork! I loved the story!

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such marvelous illustrations and a warm story about relying on others. Beautiful.

[Carolane Lachaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Définitivement l'un de mes livres préférés pour ma fille ! La morale est cute, le rythme est plaisant à lire encore et encore et les dessins sont super beaux ! Pour le moment, c'est le seul livre que je ne suis pas tannée de lire pour la millième fois.

Ma fille l'a obtenu à un an et me le faire lire encore un an plus tard.

[Aimée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein kleiner Wolf verläuft sich beim Umzug seiner Familie. Bezaubernde Illustrationen und ein niedliches Ende. Großen Respekt an Übersetzerin Pia Jüngert!

[Suong Thach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooie illustraties!

[Books'N'Tracks · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

So ein süßes Buch mit tollen Illustrationen ! ♡