Big Wolf and Little Wolf, Such a Beautiful Orange!

Gr 1—3—In this final sequence in the "Big Wolf and Little Wolf" series, the two protagonists once more find their friendship challenged. The tale, revolving around the discovery, loss, and rediscovery of an orange—"so round, so sweet, so bright"—while a bit wordy flows quietly yet fluidly. The puzzling disappearance of the orange on the final pages, however, results in an unsatisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, Tallec's beautifully composed spreads, rich with blues, greens, and yellows, are a marvel of soft, richly applied hues and dark swaths of color for contrast, and the two characters, formed with a lithe roundedness and sense of vitality, will engage readers. This happily ever after tale offers numerous possibilities for discussion about the give-and-take of friendship as well as the artistry of the illustrations.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA