The Five Wolves

Gr 4-6–Five wolves cross an ocean, travel across land, and battle dragons, all in search of a place and subjects to draw. Along the way, they encounter fish, cats in fancy hats, bunnies, dragons, and many other creatures who lead them into adventure. This unusual graphic novel/picture book mash-up may prove challenging. The text is often difficult to read as it can be hidden within other words and design choices result, for example, in blue text of varying sizes, sometimes layered on blue art or text arranged in spirals, waves, and other shapes, which made it hard to follow. The story’s beginning, middle, and end are also difficult to track. The artwork, however, is beautifully rendered, with so much texture that it seems to leap off the page. The surreal style evokes the soothing cadence of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s Goodnight Moon in its narration, while channeling the confusion and nonsensical energy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.