Big Bad Wolf Is Good

by Simon Puttock, Lynne Chapman

Poor Wolf—he’s so lonely! Nobody wants to be his friend.Not the ducklings, not the goslings, not the fuzzy yellow chicks. “Perhaps it’s becauseI’m big and scary,” he thinks. “Perhaps it’s because I’m bad, bad, bad.” Then he has a bright What if he changes his ways and becomes good? What if he does a noble deed?But, none of the animals will listen when Wolf tries to tell them about his new plan.They just flee in terror, slamming the door right in his face. Then something really awful one of the ducklings disappears and everybody thinks Wolf has eaten him all up. Can the Big Bad Wolf prove he didn’t have duck for dinner—and bring the lost little baby safely home? A charming and delightfully fractured fairy tale about friendship, and awonderful example for children that a person can change, with sweet and funnyillustrations that will delight youngsters over and over again.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Animals, Friendship, Wolves, Fractured Fairy Tales

Hardcover

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the super cute illustrations in this book. The wolf had such great expressions. The story is about the Big Bad Wolf who wants to be good and teaches kids not to judge before getting to know someone. The wolf is so determined to be good but can’t seem to catch a break. I felt so sorry for the big guy. Finally he has an opportunity to show how good he can be and he makes some friends.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't judge someone based on rumor without getting to know them first.

[Emma Otusajo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet little story that would be great for 4-6 year olds to listen to as part of a classroom readtime. The 'big bad wolf', the 'baddie' star of many classic fairy tales has decided he's lonely and that the only way to resolve this issue is to change his character to try and do some nice things for other people.

Telling people he's changed isn't quite enough - a reputation for being bad means that the other animals just don't believe what he's got to say.

This book is a great way of teaching children about people - not only about how people should treat each other, but also that people have the ability to change and become better people.

The wolf and the duckling at the end of this story really melts your heart as the little lost duckling is protected and taken home by the wolf.

This book is great for early readers to read by themselves, or perhaps in pairs, so that they can help one another understand fully the language and the messages in the story.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how the big bad wolf reforms and becomes good. I like how he shows determination to be kind even when others don't like him and don't trust him. I don't like that they continue to call him the big bad wolf after he reforms. I don't think that is kind.

Talking points - when people have changed what kinds of things could we do to ignore that change? Is that kind? What kinds of things can we do to acknowledge and celebrate that change? How important is trust? What are some things people can do to lose trust? What are some things people can do to regain trust? Is it easier to lose trust or to restore trust?

If you are pairing and essential oil with it, I'd recommend doTERRA's Forgive blend. Who doesn't need more forgiveness in their lives!

[Jaden]

Traditional Literature

This is another great twist to a traditional literature piece. The Big Bad Wolf is always viewed as a big, bad, and mean wolf. He decides he wants to be good, but nobody trusts him or wants to be around him. When duckling #5 gets lost, the wolf helps him back to his family. The mother duck slammed the door in his face again, which made him cry. The duck then invited him in to play and have tea. They now think he is a good wolf, even though he is called the Big Bad Wolf.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf is upset he has no friends so he decides to make some by being good. He meets a variety of farm animals that are afraid of him. He eventually succeeds in making friends.

Teaching application-A class chat on how we treat our friends would be good idea after reading this book. Good choices and giving second chances could be talked about.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations but the plot was just too simplistic to suggest as a read aloud. There’s always that hint that he’s just saying he’s good today but it’s not a true character evolution. There’s better read alouds out there.

[Marisa Karns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for young children who are new to reading or new to listening to books being read aloud. It is an adorable spin off of the big bad wolf, but making it into a happy story about the wolf.

[Makenzee Jundul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book! The illustrations are very well done and the story has important lessons for children to learn. It can also teach them that there are multiple perspectives to a story so it is always good to not assume something about another person.

[Taryn Genger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that the illustrations were cool and engaging. This twist on the story of the big bad wolf was different than what I have read before. I think this story would be appreciated by students and could be a good lesson idea to teach kids to give people forgiveness and a second chance.

[Alireza Emami · Rating 4 out of 5]

اسم اصلی کتاب چه اشکالی داشته مگه؟ گرگ بد گنده خوب است
ولی ترجمه کردن کی از گرگ بد گنده میترسه!

[MelMon Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic with a bit of a twist. Not everyone wants to be bad!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever twist on a well-known character. It helps teach children that villains aren't always inherently bad.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the idea but just didn't catch for me

[Cassidy Ringle]

I don't think this book is very educational but young children would probably like it so I would probably include this in my library but it wouldn't be one of my first choices.

[Makenzie Soeken]

This cute story shows the Big "Bad" Wolf's sweet side, as he sets out to make friends and show the world that he is not as bad as people think he is. However, nobody wants to believe that he can actually be good! In the end, he saves a baby duckling and Mrs. Duck finally calls him good (although he will always be the Big BAD Wolf).

[Garrett Harner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot Summary:

Everyone has heard of the Big Bad Wolf. In many fairy tales he strikes fear into the souls of his victims. Unfortunately, Big Bad Wolf has a big bad reputation. No one is ever concerned with his feelings. If anyone has been lonely at some time, they can really appreciate the struggle that Big Bad Wolf is about to face. After being lonely and misunderstood for a long time, Big Bad Wolf decides it's time for a change. In an attempt to make friends, he must become "Big Good Wolf", but will it be enough to convince others that he's changed? Through the course of the story, Big Bad Wolf tries to make friends with various fowl, and their chicks. After being so misunderstood for so long, he finds it difficult to convince anyone that he is a changed wolf. Eventually Big Bad Wolf decides to "be useful and good, and do a noble deed", by finding a lost duckling in the woods. Upon returning the duckling to his mother, Big Bad Wolf is finally realized to be an all around good guy. He makes friends with Mrs. Duck and her ducklings. In the end, Big Bad Wolf...who is sometimes good, learns what it is like to be helpful, and to have friends. This tale of The Big Bad Wolf leaves the reader with warm fuzzy feelings about all characters, and realizing that there are always two sides to every story.

Literary Merit:
This picture book makes great use of space, as well as the expression of the characters in the illustrations in order to allow the reader to feel the emotions. The chickens, geese, and ducks that Big Bad Wolf encounter through the pages are not very trusting of him. The Illustrations show this, as the entire book is used during their conversations with one another. Often Big Bad Wolf is on one page, while his "potential friends" are fleeing on the other. This use of space makes it very clear how they feel about him. All of the poultry "run into the house and slam the door" at various parts of the story. The illustrations in the pages do a great job in capturing the nervousness of Big Bad Wolf's friends, as well as his sadness as he is denied by almost all of them.

Genre Considerations:
This picture book is great for both it's interesting and silly pictures, as well as its continued theme that is found throughout. The pictures are bright and vibrant, and effectively show the emotions of the characters simply through visualization. This allows even young readers the opportunity to understand what is going on, or to make predictions, even before they can read on their own. There is also a repetitive theme of Big Bad Wolf not being able to easily make friends with the other characters. The reader can easily see this common theme simply by observing the pictures found on the pages. As with many books, this picture book does a good job of teaching the reader an important lesson as the story progresses. The reader is able to look at the story from a different perspective, and can learn that things aren't always as they appear. In doing this, the reader gains valuable insight into the feelings of others, and learns that everyone's feelings matter.

Reader Response/Classroom Connections:

This book would be ideal to use when discussing points of view in a Language Arts lesson. Because the story is coming from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf, it is looked at from a completely different side than most children are used to experiencing. The wolf is the one who is lonely, and sad because he cannot make friends. This will allow the reader to think critically in a situation, and analyze it on a deeper level before drawing conclusions. This book would be perfect for drawing and analyzing character traits of the different individuals in the story, because of their vast differences. This book could also be vital in teaching young children about their feelings, and the feelings of others. It doesn't matter how tough someone is, or how mean they may seem, everyone still has feelings. This can help to teach sensitivity, as well as treating others how you would like to be treated.

[Jennifer Olsker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf is Good by Simon Puttock was fairly good. I believe it has great meaning and morals for readers to learn. The story begins with the Big Bad Wolf all alone. He is lonely and wants someone to be his friend, so he sets off to do multiple good deeds in order for the other characters will be friends with him. The story continues on to tell his story and how he changes in order to make friends. The techniques used to create this story really convey its meaning. for example when you open the book to the end pages, they are a bright orange. I relate the color orange with warmth, so with this color choice I don't expect the book to be dark or mean. The illustrations are somewhere between a cartoon and sketch style, however they are sweet and give the wolf a new perspective. This book is great to introduce young children to the idea of friendship and that people can change and that we should try to accept them bettering themselves even if we may not believe it at first.

[Honah Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This take off of "The Three Little Pigs" is told more as a sequel, where the big bad wolf is sad of being bad, and tries to be good, but no where in the story do any of the three little pigs appear. On the front cover, the wolf is portrayed in a style to make him look innocent and not frightening, to start off the theme of the title "Big Bad Wolf is Good". Also on the cover, he is holding a little duck with a number five on his shirt, this foreshadows the ending of the story when the big bad wolf saves the duckling. Through out the story the wolf is portrayed as the victim, being outcast by the other characters while trying to be friendly. The illustrations are bright and colorful to display the happy theme of the wolf finally making friends, also the images alternate between full bleed and bordered pictures.

[Marcie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I imagine that I'm overreacting to this book based on the scary experience my kids had yesterday with a creepy guy in a pickup truck following them down the street....

The Big Bad Wolf is trying to change his image to become a good wolf, but the small animals he interacts with are still scared of him. While this could be a good lesson for small children, to learn not to judge other by their appearance, I felt like a better lesson is that it is perfectly the right thing to do to run inside the house and slam the door if a scary person comes up to your yard and offers to play with you. So while I felt sorry for the wolf because he genuinely was trying to be a nice guy, I felt like the small animals were doing the right thing. But I am probably over thinking this book.

The illustrations were cute, and my kids like the story.

[Slayermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Bad Wolf wants to change and be good he’s tired of having no friends and feeling lonely, but no matter how hard he tries no one wants to give him a chance. He has already been prejudged due to his previous behaviour. One day he is forced to make a decision, that could change everything, you will have to read the story to find out how it all ends. :0)

I really enjoyed this story, and I think it’s great for showing children not to prejudge others. Also I think it would be great to use as a tool with a child who may have acted out and wants to change.

The pictures are cute and entertaining.

[Diana Judd]

This story is about the Big Bad Wolf who is trying to become the Big Good Wolf because he is sad and wants some friends. However, every time he tries to help the other animals in the forest, they slam their doors in his face. Eventually things work out for the best and everyone is happy. This was a decent story although I thought the ending was pretty disappointing. I won't spoil it, but it was definitely not the exact ending I was hoping for. The pictures are really interested. They look almost like someone colored them with some kind of sponge, but it's too controlled and uniform. I like the colors, but not really the stile of drawing that went into creating the animals.

[Scott Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a spin on the character in the Three Little Pigs, the wolf is lonely and tired of being bad, so he decides that he is going to be good. This book could be read to the class after someone is caught bullying another student. Basically, the teacher would emphasize that since the wolf had always been bad, the other characters didn't believe him when he wanted to be good. Children would act the same way to another student if they had always been mean to them. This brings up the point of second chances or even third chances for people to prove themselves, we shouldn't always assume.

[Audeena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional; (well a spin off of traditional)
Copyright Date: 2001

We had a sub in our preschool classroom that read the students the traditional story of the three little pigs. So I wanted to find some of the other versions of the classic story to read to the students. This was a fun because I had one student who just couldn't believe this was true because the big bad wolf just can't be good. I really liked this because I think with older students kindergarten or first grade we could use these two books as an example that there are two sides to every story!

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is portrait most likely because it is telling the story of the big bad wolf (personified). It uses a pastel-type of color scheme to give it a rustic, yet childish feel. The text is fairly simple, yet not your typical Times New Roman. Most of the openings feature fullbleed double-page spreads, with text in the top left and lower right corners. The text tends to repeat itself and puts a lot of emphasis on numbers (almost like counting), which makes me think it was probably meant for a younger audience.

[Deja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: I love this book I think its funny the pictures are highly well detailed in my eyes. Also they used a lot of real colors for some of the animals n the story. I love how they have wolf changing into become and good wolf he is learning to be kind but also at the same time have to prove himself that he can change.




Utilize: I can use this book about friendships in our classroom. Meaning on how not to judge so quickly because we may be different. Also on how to treat others with respect and on how we can use our kind words with one and other.

[Rigoberto Gamez]

Every one knows the big bad wolf. But not many people know his good side that he shows in this book. He decides to change his ways and become a good wolf instead of being "bad, bad, bad". The only problem is that no one believes him. Then a duckling goes missing and they blame him. But he proves he didn't do it.

This would be a good book to read in class because it would show the children that people can change. Not just because they do a few things that are bad means that they will always be bad.

[Kiera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is entertaining and teaches a moral lesson to children. Bad Wolf wanted to do something good but everyone was so afraid of him because of his known behavior. Young children can relate to Bad Wolf because all he wanted to do was do a good deed and change his behavior as many children who are not always on their best behavior. This story shows children how doing something good can be rewarding.

[Kalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was such a cute book! It would be great to use within a classroom setting or even one on one as a parent. It teaches a great lesson in reputation, bullying and how what we do affects what others think of us and be hard to reverse that label. Would be wonderful for individual discussion or to use in a fun classroom activity and lesson! The pictures in this book we were done as well! They showed great expression that went perfectly along with the book!

[Trista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Bad Wolf really does want to be good! In this fractured fairy tale, the wolf keeps trying to be friends with the other animals but they shut the door in his face and make faces at him through the front window. But one day, he performs a very good deed and comes into the good graces of the animals around him. Cute story.