'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday 14 June 2017

Review: Wolfie: An Unlikely Hero

Wolfie: An Unlikely Hero is an amusing, entertaining, hilarious story that will make you laugh out loud.

Stories about wolves usually have a predictable storyline but Deborah Ablea’s first picture book, Wolfie: An Unlikely Hero is the exception to this rule. 

Wolfie doesn’t want the author of the story to stereotype him as the villain. He doesn’t want to be seen as a wolf that eats rabbits, piglets or chickens nor does he want to be depicted as scary.

Wolfie wants to be seen as nice wolf, which is loyal and courageous with the ability to save princesses. 

Abela is a weaver of great words and characters. She has Wolfie talking directly to the author ‘Just last week I saved my cousin form drowning. Where’s that story?’ and then the author within the story begins again ‘ONCE UPON A TIME there was a perfectly nice, brave wolf, who…’ and the reader hopes with all their might that Wolfie gets the story he wants. 

The illustrations by Connah Brecon are a magnificent addition to the story. The pictures are expressive and show the scene’s mood brilliantly. Brecon depicts Wolfie at times in a whimsical manner, for example: when Abela describes Wolfie as ‘sleek and strong, cunning and quick.’ Brecon has Wolfie kissing his biceps.

Wolfie: An Unlikely Hero is a real page-turner that demands to be read and then read again and again. 

To find out more about Deborah Abela see her KBR interview see here.

Title: Wolfie: An Unlikely Hero
Author: Deborah Abela
Illustrator: Connah Brecon
Publisher: Random House Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 May 2017
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780143781509
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book