Wolf in the Snow facts for kids
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| Author | Matthew Cordell |
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| Publisher | Feiwel & Friends |
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Publication date
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January 3, 2017 |
| Pages | 48 |
| Awards | Caldecott Medal |
| ISBN | 978-1250076366 |
| OCLC | 1001724046 |
Wolf in the Snow is a picture book from 2017. It was created by Matthew Cordell and tells a story mostly without words. Many people liked the book, and it won the important Caldecott Medal in 2018. This award is given to the artist of the most outstanding American picture book for children. Some parts of the story might remind you of classic fairy tales, like Little Red Riding Hood. It's about a girl and a wolf who both get lost during a big snowstorm. Matthew Cordell used special drawing styles for the girl and the wolf.
Contents
The Story of the Book
The story begins with a girl and a wolf. They both get lost in a heavy snowstorm. As the storm calms down, the girl finds the lost wolf. She gently picks it up.
The girl then follows the sounds of other wolves. She wants to help the lost wolf find its family. On her journey, she faces some dangers in the snowy wilderness. After a while, she successfully returns the young wolf to its mother.
However, after helping the wolf, the girl herself gets lost. She falls down in the snow. The wolves, grateful for her kindness, howl loudly. Their howls guide one of the girl's worried parents to find her. The few words in the book are mostly sounds. They describe the actions happening in the story.
Themes and Art Style
Many people who reviewed Wolf in the Snow noticed how it was similar to classic fairy tales. Little Red Riding Hood was often mentioned. Matthew Cordell, the author, actually thought about these fairy tales when he created the book.
How the Idea Started
The idea for the book began with a drawing. Cordell drew a girl in a red coat standing in a white snowy field. She was looking at a wolf. He liked the strong colors of black, red, and white together. He also liked the feeling of suspense. This was created by having the child and the wolf together. He wondered what would happen between them.
Kindness and Loyalty
Reviewers also pointed out important messages in the book. These included the value of loyalty and kindness. The story shows how the wolves return the girl's kindness. They help her when she needs it most.
Drawing Techniques
Cordell used a special watercolor technique for the pictures. He blended the colors in a "freeform" way. This means he let the colors flow naturally. There is a clear difference in how the girl and the wolves are drawn. The girl looks almost like a cartoon character. The wolves, however, are drawn in a scary and realistic way. The way words are used in the book is also important. Some people compared it to how words are used in comic books.
