Rabbit borrows a book about wolves from the library. Straightforward enough. But it's not long before a sinister figure with sharp claws and a bushy tail starts to creep right off the pages. You won't believe your eyes - especially if you're a rabbit. Brilliantly witty, with amazing artwork, two surprise endings, plus fun novelty elements, "Wolves" created a real buzz of excitement among critics and booksellers alike on first publication in 2005.

Grade 1-3–This imaginative, cleverly designed story unfolds in a delectable blend of spare text and eloquent multimedia illustrations. A textured welcome mat serves as background for title and publisher information, the pages feel somewhat scratchy, and the wolves are expressively drawn with charcoal pencil. In the story, Rabbit borrows Wolves by Emily Grrrabbit from the West Bucks Public Burrowing Library and leaves with his nose already stuck in the red book. His long, wavy ears ooze movement. The author ingeniously develops her story on two levels: children will absorb the information that the rabbit is reading–An adult wolf has forty-two teeth–but also enjoy the suspenseful tale of what is happening to the rabbit as he walks along. As a real wolf becomes gradually more threatening, Rabbit becomes progressively smaller. Expressive illustrations show him obliviously walking up a bushy tail onto the back, and then the snout, of a wolf; but it is the uh-oh expression on his face as he slowly realizes that he is in trouble that is so piercingly vivid. The following page depicts a partially eaten book, and no rabbit. However, the author then reassures readers that no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book and thoughtfully provides an alternative ending for sensitive children. This delightful picture book is best shared with children who can appreciate the sly humor.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

The story couldn't be simpler: a rabbit borrows a book about wolves from the Public Burrowing Library. Lost in the pages of his good book as he strolls home, the rabbit fails to recognize that he has encountered the real thing--an honest-to-goodness, knife-and-fork-wielding, big bad you-know-what. But not to worry. This is a postmodern picture book that has fun with narrative convention; there's an alternate ending, accompanied by playful interjections from the author-illustrator (who bills herself as "Emily Grrrabbit" on the title page). Wolves is a long way from being The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, but it's a bit of a lark for younger readers and listeners, and its sly celebration of libraries and reading is a treat for older ones.

Michael Cart

length: (cm)26.1 　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　 width:(cm)22.5