BIG WOLF & LITTLE WOLF

Brun-Cosme, Nadine. Big Wolf and Little Wolf. Ill. by Olivier Tallec. New York: Enchanted Lion Books, 2009. ISBN 978-1-59270-084-4.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Big Wolf lives alone under a tree at the top of a hill. He is happy alone until one day Little Wolf shows up. At first Big Wolf doesn't like the company, but Little Wolf doesn't prove threatening, so the two start to co-exist. After sharing food and a blanket, Big Wolf is dismayed when Little Wolf disappears one day. Big Wolf realizes he misses his new friend, and when Little Wolf reappears, both wolves confess their loneliness without the other.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This book was originally published in French under the title, grand loup & petit loup. Author, Nadine Brun-Cosme has published nearly 20 novels and picture books for children in France, while illustrator, Olivier Tallec has illustrated more than 50 children's books and is also an illustrator for magazines and newspapers. The translation of this book is flawless-- one would never know the book wasn't orginally published in English. The story itself is universal; children worldwide in any language will relate and enjoy the timeless tale of loneliness and friendship. Tallec's paintings express themselves with bold strokes and vibrant colors. Feelings and emotions are conveyed through the wolves' eyes looking shyly and steathily at each other. The size variance between the two wolves shows readers that opposites can attract, and that friends come in all sizes.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
This translation has careful phrasing. Tallec's colorful illustrations play off the quiet dignity of the text, revealing emotion through the characters' stances and expressions, employing a sketchy painting style that brims with light.

BOOKLIST:
The matter-of-fact telling and Tallec's illustrations, spare of detail, saturated with brilliant color, keep this tale of absence and hearts grown fond from becoming saccharine. Emotions are conveyed through gestures and askance glances. This is a book that deserves a place on readers' shelves and in their hearts.

CONNECTIONS:

* Have students share stories of unlikely friendships. Perhaps they have an older or younger friend, or are now friends with someone they didn't like initially.

* While reading the book, have students describe the feelings and emotions they think the wolves are experiencing. Do Little Wolf and Big Wolf experience the same feelings, or different ones?

* Read other titles about friendship and unlikely animal friendships:

Hatkoff, Craig, Isabella Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu. Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship. New York: Scholastic Press, 2006.

Rodman, Mary Ann. My Best Friend. 2007. Reprint, New York City: Puffin, 2007.

Zelinsky, Emily(Author) ;, and Paul(Illustrator) Jenkins. Toy Dance Party: Being the Further Adventures of a Bossyboots Stingray, a Courageous Buffalo, and a Hopeful Round Someone Called Plastic. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2008.