School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-As night falls, a canine father and son head to a hilltop for an important rite of passage. First, Little Wolf watches as Big Wolf models proper howling form: he stands tall, points his muzzle skyward, and sings out a thrilling "AAAAOOOO...." Eager to give it a try, Little Wolf echoes the classic cry but can't stop himself from adding a few ear-pleasing, scat-style embellishments ("dibbity dobbity skibbity skobbity/skooo-woooo-woooo."). Despite his father's patient tutelage and repeated demonstrations of the accepted method, Little Wolf's creative voice will not be quelled, and he lets loose with howls that trumpet the "wildness and joy" found in his heart. Big Wolf is finally won over and joins his son in exuberant-if unconventional-song. The perfectly paced narrative is filled with warmth and humor. Full-bleed illustrations done in gouache portray stunning natural landscapes aglow with crisply rendered details and luminous twilight hues. The animal characters are endearingly depicted yet still retain a touch of realism, adding a sense of the untameable mystery of the wilderness to a sweet story about parent/child affection. VERDICT Fun to read-and howl-aloud, this tale of tackling a first experience with originality and élan is ideal for storytime or family sharing.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A wolf pup tries out his howling technique in this picture book.Little Wolf is excited to be accompanying his father, Big Wolf, to the top of the hill for his first howling. As the full moon rises, Little Wolf is raring to try, but his father holds him back, telling him he will first "demonstrate proper howling form." When it's Little Wolf's turn, he begins properly, but then creative exuberance (humorously rendered with a superabundance of A's and O's, increasingly punctuated by scat syllables) takes over, and no matter how many times Big Wolf patiently demonstrates proper technique, Little Wolf can't help adding his own spin. Even Big Wolf's gentle disapproval can't dampen Little Wolf's ardor. Eventually of course, Big Wolf comes around to see it from Little Wolf's point of view, and the story ends with the two wolves, father and pup, howling with gusto in very improper howling form. Kvasnosky's story celebrates all that is fresh and original in the creative spirit of children, and her text will be great fun as a read-aloud, especially after some practice. Kvasnosky and McGee's collaborative illustrations are done in gouache resist with digital colorization, a striking technique that particularly emphasizes the black night and the bright moonlight. All double-page spreads, the illustrations successfully evoke the vast beauty of the country the wolves inhabit. Visually lovely and sure to be a read-aloud hit; put on some Ella Fitzgerald, too. (Picture book. 2-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Little Wolf's first howling lesson begins when Big Wolf demonstrates a plaintive AAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOO howl. Little Wolf tries to imitate proper howling form, but adds I'm hoooowling, 'oooowling, 'ooooowling! onto the end. Big Wolf demonstrates again, but when Little Wolf tries to howl, his creative muse takes over even more, with a dibbity dobbity skibbity skobbity skoo-wooooo-wooooo addition. On the third try, though not wanting to disappoint his father, Little Wolf feels a joyful noise rising up inside him and lets loose a new string of scat-singing sounds. Something stirs in Big Wolf, who finds himself howling YIP-YIP A DIBBY, DIBBY DO-WOP A DOOOOOOOOO! After a creative duet, the contented wolves trot home together. Kids will enjoy seeing the supportive father-son relationship, in which each party learns from the other. From the woodland, meadow, and mountain settings to the appealing depictions of the wolves, the distinctive illustrations were created collaboratively: Kvasnosky contributed the bold black line drawings and textured effects, while her sister McGee a landscape artist added beautiful, soft, dusky colors. Written with economy and wit, this handsome picture book is a natural for reading aloud, and kids will be ready to help when it's time to cut loose and howl.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2017 Booklist
