Imagine a Wolf

by Lucky Platt, Lucky Platt (Illustrator)

Overview

What do you see when you imagine a wolf?
Sharp, pointy teeth?
Big, hungry eyes?
A soft sweater and a friendly smile?

Wait a minute!

The wolf in this story would rather knit than huff, puff, or blow anyone’s house down. But that doesn’t stop the townsfolk from crying wolf anyway. What’s a kind-hearted wolf to do when everyone keeps running and screaming at “Hello?” It’s time to show the world that this wolf is the furthest thing from Big and Bad.

This beautifully illustrated fable engages readers directly, reminding them to challenge expectations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624149320
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	01/12/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 11.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lucky Platt is a visual artist who loves finding art in unexpected places. Her work often explores themes of healing and inclusion with humor. She lives with her artist husband on a lake in rural Maine. This is her debut picture book.

Editorial Reviews

"While delivering a timely lesson about regarding everyone as an individual rather than making judgments based on preconceptions, this picture book also entertains with familiar nursery tale references, the wolf’s aggrieved point of view, and questions that call for imaginative responses. A thought-provoking choice for reading aloud." — Booklist


“Tugs at the heartstrings." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2020-09-29
A wolf speaks directly to readers about preconceptions.

On an abstract black-and–dark-gray spread, white text makes a request: “Close your eyes and imagine a wolf.” Two spreads later, a wolf shows up and asks, “Am I what you imagined?” This wolf sits cross-legged and slope-shouldered, holding a knitting project. An apron and high-heeled slides with cork soles complete the harmless impression. The wolf’s gentle eyes are painted with complex irises and shifting colors. This is no fairy-tale predator—but other characters don’t notice that. On the sidewalk, pigs (three, natch) clutch one another in fear; in the yarn store, humans (one in a red knit cap) whisper and stare. A passing skateboarder screams “WOOOLF!”—terrifying the poor yarn-carrying wolf enough to cause a stumble and fall into the street. This wolf does have sharp teeth—an intense close-up leaves no doubt—but uses them only to “hold the wool while my paw spins the wheel.” The knitting project? Sweaters for chilly sheep. Part of Platt’s compassionate message is crystal clear: This kind wolf doesn’t deserve street harassment or being brought to tears by prejudice. However, this wolf’s tender inner character is symbolized by outward appearance: Readers see from first glimpse that this wolf isn’t dangerous, which undermines the attempted decoupling of appearance from morality. Human characters’ skin is the background paper’s creamy white.

Very dear, but the message’s delivery is only partially successful. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews