Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Winston the Book Wolf
Illustrator: Ian Beck
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 7
Walker, 2006 ISBN: 978-0802795694
There is a wolf on the loose and he is very hungry indeed. You need not worry that he is going to eat you though for this wolf does not eat food. Instead he eats words. The wolf is the scourge of the library and though the brave librarian tries to keep him out, the determined animal manages to get in all the same. Everyone chases the hungry wolf around trying to keep him from eating the books. Everyone except for a little girl called Roise that is. Instead Rosie leads the wolf away from the library and she asks him why it is that he has to “nibble on books.” She then explains that Winston cannot keep eating words but there is something else he can do instead to enjoy those words – he can read them.
Now Winston has a new problem. He needs to get into the library again but this time he wants to read the books and not to eat them. How is he to get in though for wolves are not allowed in the library.
Peopled by familiar storybook characters this story not only celebrates the power and beauty of words and the books that they live in but there is a definite “Little Red Riding Hood” aroma about it. Funny illustrations, a cover with a bite taken out of it, and a delightfully ridiculous story makes this a winning picture book for children who love books.
