Does the eerie howling of a wolf mean that wolves are the treacherous and sly animals of legend?

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST, Hazel Rochman

Gr. 2-4. As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about…

Gr. 2-4. As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about how wolves live in the natural world, what they look like, how they hunt, how they rear their young, etc. The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation. They debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any way detracting from the fierce beauty of the wolves' wild nature.

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Each page of text is faced with an intimate photograph of wolf behavior, such as a wolf racing through a stream, pups emerging from their den, or a pack circling a moose. The text reviews the life history of this…

Each page of text is faced with an intimate photograph of wolf behavior, such as a wolf racing through a stream, pups emerging from their den, or a pack circling a moose. The text reviews the life history of this much-maligned creature, stressing their similarity to more beloved predators such as dogs and lions. As usual, Simon presents his subject in a clear, concise manner.

The riveting cover portraits on Seymour Simon's Wolves guarantees that it will not sit on the shelf. The equally compelling content will keep it a long time on the lap. Mr. Simon's photoessay, one of his best, alternates full-page pictures with narrative on the unjustifiably-maligned wolf's physical and social characteristics, its hunting strategies and pup rearing practices. Pair it with Mr. London's The Eyes of Gray Wolf, a sparely worded tale that traces the winter night's progress of a solitary male as it roams the frozen north's forests and ridges in search of food and a mate.

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SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System

Grade 4-6. Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this photo essay. Through the appealing full-color photographs and succinct, conversational text, these dynamic, affectionate, and highly intelligent animals are shown to possess many positive traits, such as…

Grade 4-6. Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this photo essay. Through the appealing full-color photographs and succinct, conversational text, these dynamic, affectionate, and highly intelligent animals are shown to possess many positive traits, such as loyalty, cooperation, and adaptability. A broad range of information is touched upon lightly, including physical characteristics, habitat, hunting and diet, breeding and raising pups, and some unique facts about pack hierarchy and howling. An introduction uses imagery to conjure up the spirit of the wolf; the conclusion touches on the animal's past and questionable future. An attractive and simple introduction, but Candace Savage's Wolves (Sierra, 1989) has more to offer.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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