THE POET OF PINEY WOODS

A wolf wordsmith subverts expectations.

In a colorful, wood-block–printed forest, a wolf sneaks up behind an assortment of animals. A baseball-capped bear cub flees at the sound of a twig snapping. As a bow-tied frog sits on a log, “Wolf smiles. Teeth flash. / Frog sees Wolf. Splash!” But despite appearances, this doesn’t turn out to be a story of the food chain. Because now it’s “Sundown. Wolf’s lair. / Dinner? Sliced pears. / Peaceful. Poem time. / Wolf thinks, inks rhymes.” In tight, clipped, creatively rhymed and metered lines, this poem of a story shows that Wolf, a smoking jacket–clad vegetarian, just wants to share his verse with his forestmates. He pins his words to a tree, each a brief collection of rhyming words about the animal friends he was sneaking up on in the first part of the story. The animals gather around in appreciation, wondering who the mystery poet is, but when the wolf reveals himself as the author, the animals flee. A helpful blue jay convinces them to come back after Wolf pleads for understanding. Predictable for adults but no doubt suspenseful for children, the plot is enhanced by texturally rich illustrations and satisfying-to-read rhymes, making this an ideal read-aloud for inquisitive, word-loving young children. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.5-by-21-inch double-page spreads viewed at 18% of actual size.)

Quietly well done.