WOLFGANG AND THE MAGIC OF MUSIC

A wolf and a rabbit form a rock band.

Wolfgang—a gray wolf with a large gray guitar case strapped against his red-jacketed back—puts up a poster on a tree: “WOLF SEEKS GANG to form a rock band…Let’s howl!” Wolfgang becomes increasingly disappointed when no one responds. Just as he’s about to tear down the sign, a white rabbit named Rex—clad in a dark jacket and yellow boots—shows up. Though Wolfgang initially views the bunny as a “tasty snack,” he changes his tune when Rex plays his guitar and sings. The two jam together until other woodland animals—and light-skinned Red Riding Hood—show up, listen, and applaud. The increasingly popular team figures out a name: the Big Bads. Whenever Wolfgang’s rumbling tummy threatens their relationship, Rex breaks out the music, and Rex’s thoughts quickly shift: “It was as if the music was magic!” Sadly, that strategy doesn’t work when the pair encounter a trio of porcine hunters, but the Big Bads continue playing until they’ve inspired even their nemeses to make music, not violence. Spare text translated from French and funny, carefully composed illustrations reminiscent of William Steig’s work combine for a charming tale. The pacing feels a bit rushed at the end, but overall, text and art are delightful, slyly interspersing old and new.

Funny, hopeful, and encouraging.