About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to spark a child's curiosity about how stories work, or when you are looking for a playful way to talk about being alert to the world around us. This clever, meta-fictional tale follows a rabbit who becomes so absorbed in a library book about wolves that he fails to notice a real wolf stalking him. It is a brilliant blend of nature facts and dark humor that rewards observant readers. While it has a slightly spooky edge, it is ultimately a witty exploration of imagination and the 'rules' of storytelling. It is perfect for parents who want to move beyond simple narratives and engage their child's critical thinking and visual literacy skills.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The 'real' ending implies the rabbit is eaten by the wolf. This is handled with humor through a visual of a torn, smudged page and a letter from the author, but very young or sensitive children might find the idea of the protagonist being eaten distressing if they cannot separate the meta-fiction from reality.
Ideal Reader
A 6 to 8-year-old who loves 'scary' stories that are actually funny, or a child who is a budding writer or artist interested in how books are put together.
Parent Prep
Preview the 'alternative ending' at the back. It is a flap that offers a happier outcome. Decide which ending your child will appreciate more based on their sense of humor.
Age Experience
Younger children (age 5-6) will enjoy the 'hide and seek' element of spotting the wolf in the background. Older children (age 7-9) will appreciate the irony, the library ephemera (the due date card), and the sophisticated meta-narrative.
What Makes It Special
It is a rare example of a 'book within a book' that uses its physical format, including library cards and envelope inserts, to tell a story about the dangers of reading. It also serves as a humorous lesson in situational awareness: how being 'lost in a book' is fun, but we still need to watch where we are going!
Read plot summary
A rabbit checks out a nonfiction book about wolves from the library. As he walks along reading, the book's descriptions of wolves (sharp claws, bushy tails) physically manifest in the illustrations around him. The rabbit is oblivious to the wolf following him until the climax. The book offers a 'safe' alternative ending for sensitive readers after a more sinister, open-ended one.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Look closely at the library card in the front. Who else checked out this book before the rabbit? What do you think happened to them?
2
Why do you think the rabbit didn't notice the wolf following him? Have you ever been so busy doing one thing that you missed something else happening right next to you?
3
Which ending do you like better: the one where the rabbit gets eaten or the 'happy' ending with the jam sandwich? Why do you think the author gave us two choices?
4
How do the illustrations change as the rabbit learns more about the wolf? Look at how the wolf grows from a sketch into something more real.
