independent reading level: Grade PK-3
awards/honors: Caldecott Medal (2018), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book (2017) ( )

This wook was so amazing I definitely want it in my classroom. This book was about a young girl who saves a wolf pup and then she needs the wolves to save her when it gets too dark and cold. Perfect for any age of kids. There are not many words and it focuses a lot on the illustrations

Independent Reading Level: All ages!
Awards: Caldecott Medal (2018), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book (2017)

A little girl and her dog get lost in the snow after going on an innocent walk. The dog befriends a pack of wolves that sees they are struggling and helps the girl and her dog back to their house. ( )

This book was released in 2017 and received the Caldecott Medal in 2018. It's a short picture book aimed at young children. The book is nearly wordless and expresses all of its narrative through pictures alone.

Story Overview

A child and young wolf are separated from their communities and must survive a snowstorm.

Lessons

Wolf in the Snow is a story of compassion. Despite the danger and a possible great expense to themselves, the young child in the story protects the wolf against the storm. The story shows children how to act kindly and think about the well being of others. Depending on your cultural background, the story can be a lesson on karma or the "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" mindset. It shows that good deeds can be rewarded with a net good for all involved.

Praises and Critiques

The story is spellbinding despite its lack of words. The art style is lovely and the overall story is heartwarming. However, this book should be seen as an entertainment piece. Since there are no words in the book, it is not meant for early readers practice and is really not meant for story time. It is a book children can explore on their own and is best experienced with no more than a one child/one parent grouping. Given the pictures and the way the narrative is set up, it may take some children longer than others to grasp what is going on depending on how many different ages are in the group. That's not to say the book lacks value. I think the message of unlikely allies aiding each other to survive and the general feeling of compassion that emanates from the book makes it worthy of at least a perusal. It's simply a book best suited for fun, rather than a way to build reading skill. For younger children, it may be best also to clarify not to approach animals they think need help, as not all are as friendly as the wolf in this story.

Takeaway

Wolf in the Snow is an impactful narrative that can entertain adults and children alike. The heartwarming story of two young allies helping each other and the high stakes of survival make it a captivating read that I believe everyone should read. ( )