Big Wolf & Little Wolf
Big Wolf & Little Wolf
Written by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrated by Olivier Tallec
Translated from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick
A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book of 2010
Big Wolf lives alone under a tree at the top of a hill. He is alone, but happy. One day, another wolf arrives: a little wolf. Without a word, Little Wolf sits down next to Big Wolf. He stays all night and all the next day. At first, Big Wolf is suspicious and worried that Little Wolf will grow bigger and become a rival. After a while, however, he starts to feel fond of his small companion. That night, he decides to let Little Wolf share his blanket. The next day, he shares some of his lunch. Just as Big Wolf is starting to get used to his new friend, Little Wolf disappears. Big Wolf is too proud to cry, but the reader cannot miss the great emotion that overwhelms him. Big Wolf loses his appetite and cannot sleep. He spends his time staring at the horizon, waiting for Little Wolf to return, but without the slightest reason to hope that he will.
Will Little Wolf return? If he does, Big Wolf’s heart might just burst with joy. Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?
ISBN: 978-1-59270-084-4
9.5" (W) x 11.75" (H) • 32 pages • HCJ
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book of 2010
An American Library Association Notable Book of 2010
Selected for Brain Pickings’ 7 Loveliest Children’s Books of 2017
Selected for The Best of Brain Pickings 2017
Prix France Television 2006
Prix de l'album 2007 Cherbourg
Prix des Enfants 2006 du Salon Chrétien de Troyes
Prix littéraire jeunesse de 2006 Chambray-les-tours
Adopted by the French National Curriculum
"This is a book that deserves a place on readers' shelves and in their hearts." —Booklist
"With great subtlety and sensitivity, [Big Wolf & Little Wolf] invites a meditation on loneliness, the meaning of solidarity, the relationship between the ego and the capacity for love, and the little tendrils of care that become the armature of friendship." —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
"It's a lovely story, and it's hard not to grow attached to the characters and their expressive little eyeballs. I doubt there's a child out there who will grasp the fact that this is about learning to love small interlopers. Instead, they'll just understand this to be a tale of suspicion, love, loss, and family. Worth a gander, and sweet in all the right ways. A keeper." —Publishers Weekly
“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.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, School Library Journal
“Illustrations and text are happily married, conveying the emotional tone of the story. Bold colors, in particular are masterfully used by illustrator, Olivier Tallec. Bleak blues dominate when Big Wolf feels sad. Buttery yellows suffuse pages with a happy glow when Little Wolf is near. Sweeping brush strokes add additional warmth and energy.” —Puget Sound Council
“It’s all the small details that make this book so wonderful. On the page where they meet, the wolves are trying so hard to look casual, but you can see the sideways glances they cast. Gorgeous illustrations convey real emotion, with just a tiny bit of humor. It is terribly difficult to explain what a perfect match the writing style and illustrations are. Really and truly, this is one of my very favorite books of the year. […] I just can't say enough good things about this book. I fell in love immediately and found myself wanting more at the end. The illustrations, the story—lovely, wonderful, excellent! A stunning book with a simple message reminding us of the beauty of friendship.” —For Immediate Release Reviews
"Love, love, love this book! . . . Just a great story that your child will love to have you read to him and you'll enjoy it just as much. Great storytelling!" —JellyMom.com
"Brun-Cosme has created a picture book with a unique feel. Her wording is simple and almost bare. It is through that very minimalist writing that the emotions are really clear and powerful." —Kids Lit
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