The Wolves Are Back

For reading aloud or reading alone, this is a splendid way to share an appreciation for the natural world.

Gr 1-4 An uplifting, lyrical story of how wolves were returned to Yellowstone Park after having been aggressively hunted throughout the United States. By 1926, there were no more wolves in the 48 states; the directors of the national parks wanted only "gentle animals." When people realized that nobody had ever been attacked by a wolf, 10 Canadian wolves were released into Yellowstone in 1995, and their numbers increased. Minor's realistic illustrations in natural tones give depth to the sense of joy one experiences through seeing the wolves and other animals restored to a balance of nature. The art, some full page, some full spread, captures life in the park, with its bears, birds, bison, and beavers, its bees, butterflies, and dragonflies. Almost every paragraph ends with the simple but effective refrain, "The wolves were back." Although this is not a detailed account of how the animals live, it is full of facts that children will enjoy as they reflect on the flora and fauna of the area, and on the need to protect our wildlife. This would be a great book for reading aloud, as well as for independent enjoyment."Esther Moberg, Creswell Library, OR" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.