Wolfie the Bunny

Starred review from December 8, 2014
Dyckman’s (Tea Party Rules) rousing, warmhearted story opens as a family of city-dwelling bunnies discover a wolf cub in a basket on their front stoop. “He’s going to eat us all up!” cries daughter Dot. But Papa proudly snaps pictures of Wolfie chowing down on carrots (“He’s a good eater!”), and Mama’s smitten, too. OHora’s (Tyrannosaurus Wrecks!) distinctive folk-naïf spreads poke gentle fun at hipster families—Papa and Mama are decked out in cardigans and argyle, while Dot and Wolfie shop at a food coop selling such wares as locally-sourced organic bamboo. More laughs come from the irresistible contrast between Dot’s sweet bunny countenance and her furious glares of rage. “I knew it!” she hisses when Wolfie bares his fangs while they’re shopping. But he’s not baring them at Dot—he’s worried about the huge bear behind her. In a gratifying showdown, Dot overpowers the bear (“Let him go!” she yells. “Or... I’ll eat you all up!”) while Wolfie proves he’s not only trustworthy but full of love. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Scott Treimel, Scott Treimel N.Y. Illustrator’s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.

Four narrators and a musical score re-create the engaging quality of this picture book. The audio draws listeners in immediately as Robin Miles's narration plays off the music. As Miles describes the Bunny family's discovery of a "bundle outside their door," melodramatic piano riffs add an ominous tone reminiscent of silent films. This delightful interplay between words and music continues throughout. The character of young Dot steals the show in the book and also does so in the audio with the narration of Molly Cavett. Cavett dynamically expresses Dot's reactions to her foster wolf-brother. Dot registers doubt, fear, and, finally, sarcasm as she gives up on changing the attitudes of her smitten parents, portrayed by Wendy and Ken Cavett. Their doting tones strengthen the humor in Dot's rejoinders. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

December 15, 2014
A tongue-in-cheek tale of a wolf in Bunny clothing.The Bunnys live in a garden-level (which is Brooklyn for "basement") apartment and come home one day to find a basket holding a baby wolf at their door. Young Dot grasps the situation right away: "HE'S GOING TO EAT US ALL UP!" she exclaims. But Mama and Papa are charmed by how much he eats and how well he sleeps and even how well he drools (on Dot). Dot sticks to her line, however, even when her little brother-now much bigger than she is and clad in a giant pink bunny suit-accompanies her to the Carrot Patch, the local organic co-op. There in the produce department is a bear! He thinks Wolfie is dinner! Dot fiercely and feistily defends her brother, and when the bear dismisses her as a bunny and announces he is bigger, she responds that she's HUNGRY and she will start munching on the bear's TOES. The bear runs away; the siblings go home. It's pretty adorable. OHora's stark acrylics, with strong black line and accents, make use of few colors (shades of red, gray and gold) to good effect. Dot's perpetual scowl is particularly acute. Add to the growing collection of sibling stories, adoptive and otherwise, that delight and instruct. (artist's note, author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from February 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-When the Bunny family finds a little bundle of joy-that happens to be a wolf-on their doorstep, they are smitten.Well, except for little Dot, who exclaims repeatedly, "He's going to eat us all up!!" Even her friends agree, but Dot's parents are captivated by the adorable baby-he's a good eater, sleeper, and drooler, they note. As Wolfie grows, Dot's worry is compounded with annoyance as he follows her everywhere in typical little brother-style. Having to go to the store for more carrots with Wolfie (who ate them all up!) makes Dot less than pleased, and she is on guard lest he tries to eat her. The fact that Wolfie is wearing an endearing bunny outfit does not make her feel better, but it does make the bear at the market think that Wolfie would make a yummy meal. Rather than run for safety, Dot terrifies the bear with tough talk of eating him up and saves Wolfie, who thanks her by pouncing on her with a big hug. The now-bonded siblings walk home hand in hand. The text is seamlessly integrated with the illustrations and uses various fonts to good effect. OHora's acrylic paintings are the heart of this tale. They clearly show everyone's feelings from fear to sadness to joy to anger to love and everything in between, and there are brilliant bits of humor and whimsy added to the mix. VERDICT A great book for one-on-one sharing that's also sure to be a storytime hit.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2015
Preschool-K *Starred Review* When the Bunny family find an adorable baby wolf on their doorstep, Mama and Papa are thrilled. Voice-of-reason Dot says, He's going to eat us all up! And she keeps saying it as Wolfie gets bigger. And bigger! When he eats all the carrots, his parents send him (dressed in a large pink bunny suit) and Dot down to the store, and for a moment, it looks as if her prediction is about to come trueat least where she is concerned. But it's not Dot Wolfie is staring at. It's Bear, who, as it turns out, is very hungry and ready to eat Wolfie, pink suit and all. Dot to the rescue! She gets the drop on Bear, who hightails it out of there. Thenoh my goodness!Wolfie pounces on Dot. Was she right after all? Nope, it's only to give her a hug. This gets all the elements of the successful picture book just right: a familiar scenario (sibling rivalry), a scary adversary, a display of courage, and a happy ending. And then there's the art! OHora's unique acrylic illustrations have the look and feel of woodcuts. Big and bold, with strong yet simple shapes, the pictures are also intimate enough to capture Wolfie's goofy smile when he gets his pink bunny outfit, and the frightened but fierce expression on Dot's face. A crowd-pleaser for crowds big and small.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)