Wolves

WOLVES

What do wolves really like to eat? It isn't little girls in red hoods.

Rabbits shouldn't believe what they read in fairy tales,but this book has the facts.

(This book follows the National Carroticulum.)

Children's Literature

Wolves have a bad reputation in traditional folktales. But our curious young rabbit hero seems to be seeking only factual information from the book he checks out from the library. As he begins to read, two parallel visual stories fill the double pages. Our rabbit becomes absorbed in the informative text he holds, while the open book itself reveals its text and illustration alongside of him. On the next spread it looms larger behind him, while suddenly a hooded wolf peers at him from behind the book. Next, the rabbit reads the book intently; behind him we see a menacing wolf depicted on a page telling where wolves roam. On the next spread, the tiny rabbit and book are dwarfed by huge wolf legs and "sharp claws." As the rabbit reads on about tails, dense fur, powerful teeth, and jaws, he is then seen walking along the nose of a huge, salivating wolf, knife and fork at the ready. Suddenly the wide-eyed rabbit closes the book, centered between the wolf's eyes, made aware of what wolves eat. A dreadful end seems evident from the clawed and chewed book on the next spread. But we are reassured, as the author slyly offers an alternative and amusing happy ending. Added fun are the postcards and letters sent to the rabbit on the title and final pages. Included is a take-out flyer from a "Carrotenese" restaurant, the Burrowed Wok. A small, circular note from "your local library" emphasizes the humorous intent. The visual contrast between the roughly drawn charcoal wolves and the plump, off-white bunny helps create a growing tension. The illustration for the alternate ending, produced with torn bits of rabbit/wolf drawings assembled like a collage, defuses the tension and entices another reading.Lift the jacket to see a duplicate of the book the rabbit is reading inside.