What do you think?
Rate this book
Dream Wolf
"This revised edition of (the) 1972 picture book, The Friendly Wolf, looks and reads better than the original". -- Booklist
Lost and afraid, two young children seek shelter in a wolf's cave. There they meet a kindly wolf who leads them home. Based on a Plains Indian legend, this exceptional picture book demonstrates the love and respect the Plains Indians have for the wolf and the natural world. It is a tribute to the Plains Indian culture.
Lost and afraid, two young children seek shelter in a wolf's cave. There they meet a kindly wolf who leads them home. Based on a Plains Indian legend, this exceptional picture book demonstrates the love and respect the Plains Indians have for the wolf and the natural world. It is a tribute to the Plains Indian culture.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
1 person is currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Paul Goble
59 books101 followersPaul Goble was an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award.
He gave his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.
Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He became a United States citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture.
His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researched ancient stories and retold them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways.
Goble lived with his wife in Rapid City, SD.
He gave his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.
Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He became a United States citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture.
His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researched ancient stories and retold them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways.
Goble lived with his wife in Rapid City, SD.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 13, 2017
Here is a wonderful book about Tiblo and Tanski who get lost while picking berries. In a dream and in reality, a wolf comes to help them get home. A great story of Native American myth.
December 23, 2025
This rating is for the original 1974 edition entitled, “The Friendly Wolf”. This version is rather spartan, whereas the revised, reissued 1990 edition Dream Wolf feels more poetic and complete.
July 4, 2010
This is a wonderful porquoi tale about how wolves and people developed a relationship. Two Native American children wander off and have an encounter with a wolf. So many things to like about this and all of his books. The artwork is beautiful, the stories are simple but engaging and the message is always deep and resonates with kids and adults alike.
The most compelling part of this book is the theme or lesson. It's about keeping nature close and honoring our special relationship with animals.
Goble's illustrations are amazing. The page where the wolf approached the children in the cave is particularly dramatic. I like it when they place him on a mat and honor the wolf and adorn him necklaces. The songs at the end of the book are great also.
Active read aloud questions:
Have you ever been lost? How did it feel? What did you do?
Are the children smart to trust the wolf? Would you? Are there any other stories you can think of where a wolf would or wouldn't be trustworthy?
Why do you think the wolf helps them?
How is our relationship with wolves different than it was? Do we have a special relationship with any animals?
Because of Goble's prolific amount of worK, it would be easy to compare this book to others of his. His work is perfect as an introduction or extension of Native American studies.
Is it worth discussing the fact that Goble is not Native American.
I would like to know how to incorporate the songs into the curriculum.
The most compelling part of this book is the theme or lesson. It's about keeping nature close and honoring our special relationship with animals.
Goble's illustrations are amazing. The page where the wolf approached the children in the cave is particularly dramatic. I like it when they place him on a mat and honor the wolf and adorn him necklaces. The songs at the end of the book are great also.
Active read aloud questions:
Have you ever been lost? How did it feel? What did you do?
Are the children smart to trust the wolf? Would you? Are there any other stories you can think of where a wolf would or wouldn't be trustworthy?
Why do you think the wolf helps them?
How is our relationship with wolves different than it was? Do we have a special relationship with any animals?
Because of Goble's prolific amount of worK, it would be easy to compare this book to others of his. His work is perfect as an introduction or extension of Native American studies.
Is it worth discussing the fact that Goble is not Native American.
I would like to know how to incorporate the songs into the curriculum.
March 22, 2025
A brief note at the beginning explains that ...
Indian people have wonderful stories of wolves (and other animals) who helped women and children when they were lost or in danger ... For centuries Indian people relied upon their dogs to help them; this close relationship extended to the wolves. We, too, love our dogs, and yet we seem unable to see the same expressions in the faces of wolves. We have driven them from nearly every part of North America, ...
The story is fairly minimal but the message comes through clearly. The art strikes me as being overdone -- everything (the clothing, the horses, the shelters) seems to be ceremonial, not what we would expect for daily activity.
As always, I enjoyed seeing which animals Goble included on each page.
Indian people have wonderful stories of wolves (and other animals) who helped women and children when they were lost or in danger ... For centuries Indian people relied upon their dogs to help them; this close relationship extended to the wolves. We, too, love our dogs, and yet we seem unable to see the same expressions in the faces of wolves. We have driven them from nearly every part of North America, ...
The story is fairly minimal but the message comes through clearly. The art strikes me as being overdone -- everything (the clothing, the horses, the shelters) seems to be ceremonial, not what we would expect for daily activity.
As always, I enjoyed seeing which animals Goble included on each page.
February 3, 2022
Such a beautiful book, almost stunning! The illustrations are so unique and detailed, it was so much fun to read. I enjoyed the story and a little Native American history also.
November 11, 2009
1st-3rd grade Listening/self read
Goble illustrates this book with very colorful drawings and patterns of the Indian culture. There is some negative space used mostly to outline the other illustrations on the page. The illustrations are very descriptive making the story very visual. The story follows a brother and sister who grow tired of berry picking and wander off. It soon becomes dark and they find shelter for the evening in a wolf den. The author shows the trust the Indian people have for wolves by the children befriending a wolf and the wolf returning them to safety with the Indian village people very thankful to the wolf for returning the children to safety. I feel that while it is an interesting story, I am not sure about relating to children that wolves could be our friends as the author would like.
Social Studies/Science
You could have the students do a lesson on an Indian culture and pick one particular interest to zone in on - how they prepared for the winter, how their blankets and clothing were made, do the patterns represent a story....
Goble illustrates this book with very colorful drawings and patterns of the Indian culture. There is some negative space used mostly to outline the other illustrations on the page. The illustrations are very descriptive making the story very visual. The story follows a brother and sister who grow tired of berry picking and wander off. It soon becomes dark and they find shelter for the evening in a wolf den. The author shows the trust the Indian people have for wolves by the children befriending a wolf and the wolf returning them to safety with the Indian village people very thankful to the wolf for returning the children to safety. I feel that while it is an interesting story, I am not sure about relating to children that wolves could be our friends as the author would like.
Social Studies/Science
You could have the students do a lesson on an Indian culture and pick one particular interest to zone in on - how they prepared for the winter, how their blankets and clothing were made, do the patterns represent a story....
Read
April 14, 2021I cannot get enough of the Native American Folklore stories. My children, my husband and I have fallen for the west after our visit to South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana last year. We've amped up our reading of Native folklore and have found so many beautiful and entertaining stories.
This was one of the more beautiful, and cautionary stories about two lost children, protected and brought safely home by the friendly wolf. Such a great contrast to the big, bad wolf stories of the European fairy tales. The wolves have been driven to an almost extinction and while in Yellowstone last December, we were so lucky to have seen a lone wolves wandering among the valleys on two different occasions.
This was one of the more beautiful, and cautionary stories about two lost children, protected and brought safely home by the friendly wolf. Such a great contrast to the big, bad wolf stories of the European fairy tales. The wolves have been driven to an almost extinction and while in Yellowstone last December, we were so lucky to have seen a lone wolves wandering among the valleys on two different occasions.
March 18, 2013
This tale illustrates how the Lakota formed their sacred relationship with the Wolf Nation. When two young children become lost in the hills, they are taken in by a mystical talking wolf who guides them home.
I could tell this was one of Goble's earlier books because the art was not as polished as his later works. The story was still great, however, and the art is colorful and detailed, a faithful representation of the flora and fauna of the Dakotas. Very young children might find his stories somewhat slow, but if they're able to read the text themselves and grasp the message, the story and art should combine to create a great reading experience.
I could tell this was one of Goble's earlier books because the art was not as polished as his later works. The story was still great, however, and the art is colorful and detailed, a faithful representation of the flora and fauna of the Dakotas. Very young children might find his stories somewhat slow, but if they're able to read the text themselves and grasp the message, the story and art should combine to create a great reading experience.
March 5, 2012
This is a wonderful retelling of a Plains Indians story that speaks to the close relationship that Native Americans have had with all of nature and speaks to the respect and admiration they had for wolves.
The book also takes a cautionary and somewhat accusatory tone as it tells of the mass killings and shunning of wolves by modern society. Overall, we thought this was a very thoughtful and engaging story, with illustrations that convey the age of this folktale and are representative of traditional Native American artwork. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
The book also takes a cautionary and somewhat accusatory tone as it tells of the mass killings and shunning of wolves by modern society. Overall, we thought this was a very thoughtful and engaging story, with illustrations that convey the age of this folktale and are representative of traditional Native American artwork. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
October 15, 2011
Goble did an excellent job writing & illustrating “Dream Wolf”.
I love the story & the mutual respect between the Native Americans and the wolves.
This is a fantastic book to read to your kids (my Mikolay enjoyed it a lot) so they can become better & more respectful humans to our one & only planet Earth than we are.
Hopefully one day soon our children will start dreaming again & wake the wolves in their hearts.
I love the story & the mutual respect between the Native Americans and the wolves.
This is a fantastic book to read to your kids (my Mikolay enjoyed it a lot) so they can become better & more respectful humans to our one & only planet Earth than we are.
Hopefully one day soon our children will start dreaming again & wake the wolves in their hearts.
May 8, 2017
Maybe it has to do with my getting older but Dream Wolf didn't capture me with the same intensity of Goble's works I read as a child. Overlooking that Dream Wolf is still a touching yet bittersweet tail told with Goble's beautiful artwork.
October 28, 2018
The story is fairly simple but the drawings are what make this book. Intricate and intense and full of vibrancy.
I’m troubled by the cultural appropriation and Pan Indianism of the book. Indigenous people should be telling their own stories and collaborating on books like these.
I’m troubled by the cultural appropriation and Pan Indianism of the book. Indigenous people should be telling their own stories and collaborating on books like these.
October 20, 2020
Such a beautiful story with breath-taking illustrations.
I loved how tender this tale is and how it helps to break down the negative stereotypes wolves have been porteayed with in media for so long now.
Definitely a book that everyone should read!
I loved how tender this tale is and how it helps to break down the negative stereotypes wolves have been porteayed with in media for so long now.
Definitely a book that everyone should read!
July 9, 2016
Dream Wolf
Goble, Paula
native American legend of the plains Indians talking about spirit animals and the way they affect people's lives
December 3, 2011
It was a read aloud and we had to take a test
February 25, 2016
A lovely story and beautiful illustrations.
June 30, 2019
The artwork along with the stories get me every time!
May 4, 2019
Lovely story for children, but also sad the writer Was inspired to write it because of men being disgusting & killing wolves and Coyotes for sport.
June 16, 2019
A beautiful fable. Fans of "Balto" or "The Call of the Wild" will adore these illustrations.
January 10, 2020
This is a pretty good book on dreams and how they can be real. Native Americans told stories about wolves. They also maybe thought wolves can be good.
May 10, 2023
A simple story elevated by the very recognizable art.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
December 23, 2025
This rating is for the revised edition released in 1990 retitled “Dream Wolf”.
January 15, 2011
Beautiful book that sparks the imagination. I loved the quote at the front.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews