WOLF WATCH

A brief, poetic picture-book celebration of the wolves in the wilderness and the birth and growth of four wolf pups. Muted brown and gray oil paintings show the events near the den (the pack howls) and above it—an eagle hunts. ``Down in the den/Deep in the dark,/One-two-three-four/Pups are born.'' Soon the pups, eyes open, stumble and tumble out of the den to play, and the eagle waits, until a wolf pup wanders after a cricket. Only the timely intervention of the father wolf prevents tragedy. The paintings capture the dignity of the animals, portray aspects of wolf behavior, and depict the rugged habitat in which they live. Especially effective is a spread of ghostlike wolves against grey rocks, as they ``weave like shadows,/Stalking a deer.'' A splendid complement to titles with a more fact-based approach to wolf life. (Picture book. 4-7)