Wolves
Written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, $15.95
40 pp.; ISBN 1416914919

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

Every once in a while, a children's picture book comes along that's really surprising -- something new and different and quirky, with an ending that's completely unpredictable. Emily Gravett's debut picture book Wolves, a winner of the UK's Kate Greenaway Medal for distinguished illustration, is that book.

The book opens with a white rabbit's trip to the library, where he checks out a book about, what else, wolves. As the rabbit begins reading about the characteristics of wolves, though -- where they live, what they eat -- the story takes a Through the Looking Glass sort of twist as the rabbit unknowingly becomes part of the story he's reading. As the wolf becomes more menacing, it's clear that this particular wolf intends to have himself some lunch. The rabbit?! Well… maybe. But there is this neat alternate ending, too.

Emily Gravett's startling multimedia illustrations add an element of the edgy and raw. She limits her work to the primary story elements -- the rabbit, the wolf, and the book the rabbit is reading. For example, as the book that the rabbit reads delves into where wolves live, in the background, the wolves book illustration shows a grove of trees morphing into a wolf. As the rabbit recedes into the narrative of the book on wolves, he gets smaller and farther away while the wolf gets bigger and closer. As the wolf does lunch -- off the page, of course -- the photo collage reveals the startling conclusion, with wild scratches on the fabric of wolf book cover and gnawed edges intimating quite a scuffle. And, to temper the shock (SPOILER ALERT), Gravett's quick alternative jam sandwich ending tweaks the reader's expectations completely and surprisingly.

The combination of drawings, photographs, and collages makes for a visually appealing story that catches readers' attention right from the start. The narrative follows the wolves book content while the rabbit wanders through the book completely oblivious to the looming danger. Kids will get a kick out of knowing something the rabbit in the story doesn't, and trying to warn him away from the wolf. The increasing gravity of the story -- the darkening art, the move from distance to close-up -- Gravett is quite skilled at building drama and tension without a lot of words and explanation.

Children who are sensitive may find the idea of a wolf eating a rabbit a bit disturbing. Even though this part of the story isn't explicitly illustrated, the meaning is clear. Gravett's alternate ending may offer them some reassurance, but the visual of the chewed on book might still make it too real for comfort. Older kids who enjoy darker humor will find Wolves quite a satisfying book. It's one of those books that, if you and your child share a certain humor, you can have a lot of fun with, as Gravett clearly did: the title pages lists Emily Grrrabbit as the author, and the blurbs on the back cover of the book come from The Daily Carrot, The Hareold, and of course, Rabbit Review.