Saint Francis and the Wolf

Terrible wolf is terrorizing the town of Gubbia, and no one can stop him! First the townspeople send a brave knight. He never returns. Then they send an army of trained warriors. They get destroyed. Finally the townspeople send a great and mighty war machine, but even that can't stop the wolf. The villagers don't know what to do — until Saint Francis visits the town and speaks to the wolf in his own language.

Caldecott Medal — winning artist Richard Egielski exquisitely illustrates this classic tale of love, friendship, and the importance of living together in harmony.

In Gubbio, Italy, Saint Francis shows the villagers that neither wealth nor strength are as powerful as love and compassion.

Terrible wolf is terrorizing the town of Gubbia, and no one can stop him! First the townspeople send a brave knight. He never returns. Then they send an army of trained warriors. They get destroyed. Finally the townspeople send a great and mighty war machine, but even that can't stop the wolf. The villagers don't know what to do — until Saint Francis visits the town and speaks to the wolf in his own language.

Caldecott Medal — winning artist Richard Egielski exquisitely illustrates this classic tale of love, friendship, and the importance of living together in harmony.

Publishers Weekly

Long before Doctor Dolittle came along, Saint Francis of Assisi was known to have a special talent for soothing even the most savage beast. In this sharp and lively picture book, Egielski (The Tub People) recreates the oft-told tale of the friar's taming of a wicked wolf that terrorized the Italian town of Gubbio in the 13th century. Though no knight, army or "great war machine" can stop the violent creature, Saint Francis' gentle words urging the wolf to make peace do the trick. Crisp, frame-like borders surround Egielski's scenes, which brim with medieval accoutrements and light, humorous details (i.e., the wolf uses a jousting spear as a toothpick after noshing on a knight). The overall effect-heightened by a typeface that resembles hand lettering-will have readers imagining they are flipping through a scrapbook or ancient volume. This inviting and entertaining homage to the saint will be welcome on many a family bookshelf. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Richard Egielski is the Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator of Hey, Al and many other books for children, including the Tub People series by Pam Conrad. He is also the author and illustrator of Buz and Jazper, both New York Times Best Illustrated Books, Three Magic Balls, and The Gingerbread Boy. Mr. Egielski lives in Milford, New Jersey, with his wife and son.