– Assumptions Aren’t Always Correct –
Publisher’s Synopsis
“Mom, are you sure the wolf will not come?”
“Absolutely, my rabbit.”
“But how can you be so sure?”This clever story disarms childhood bedtime anxieties in an unexpected way. A small rabbit getting ready for bed questions his mother on how she can be so sure that the wolf will not come to their house. Meanwhile, on the opposite page, we follow the progress of the wolf indeed creeping closer and closer to them, foiling the mother’s reassurances one by one. In a delightful twist, the rabbit’s fears are defused and all ends well. The irresistible drawings and surprise ending put nighttime anxieties in light-hearted perspective.
- Title: The Wolf Will Not Come
- Author: Myriam Ouyesad
- Illustrator: Ronan Badel
- Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (August 2019)
- Genre: Picture Book / Humor
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Ages: 0-6
My true rating is 3.5 but I round up.
My Thoughts
The first thing to catch my interest was the book cover. The rabbit’s eyes are so expressive! And of course, the shadow of the wolf didn’t go unnoticed.
If you read the Publisher’s Synopsis above you may wonder where a book like this is going with Mom trying to consol her child and the wolf obviously doing the opposite of what she’s promising.
The pages of the book continue to carry through with the same fun illustrations. While Mama Rabbit and Bunny illustrations don’t change too much, watching the wolf do quite the opposite of what Mama is saying is quite humorous.
But, I guess you’re still wondering where the story is heading? I was too.
What Concerned Me
While the conclusion might seem somewhat confusing, I believe a little explanation from an adult should make the surprise ending clear.
*Spoiler Alert* The ending can be explained in various ways, but I choose to believe that Bunny was teasing Mom. Otherwise, I have a hard time explaining the illustrations of Bunny asking Mama about the wolf and acting scared.
And after Bunny continues to act afraid and question Mama about the possibilities of a wolf showing up, there is a knock on the door. Bunny runs to open it. (Now why would a rabbit who is scared run to open the door?) And as he is running toward the door we see his parents cleaning up from what appears to be his birthday party.
When the little rabbit opens the door he jumps up to give the wolf a hug and says he was sure that the wolf would make it. Then the wolf hands him a present.
Though the publisher doesn’t explain the story the way I do, I can work with mine. Otherwise, why does Bunny run to the door and hug the wolf?
Admittedly, the ending can seem very confusing, but I don’t have any trouble laughing about how Bunny teased his Mama. He really wasn’t afraid of the wolf at all.
I sense that this book might puzzle some people. I think it is going to be one of those stories that you either really like or dislike.
What I Liked Most
First, I love the illustrations. Secondly, I love the story and twist at the end if I explain it my way. Which may or may not be the intended way.
I rated this book a bit lower, simply because I felt some won’t be comfortable with the surprise ending. But personally, I was happy with my interpretation of the end. I really liked the book!
About The Author
Myriam Ouyessad was born in 1976 in Paris. After studying philosophy at the Sorbonne, she chose to teach the youngest. She participated in the creation of the alternative youth magazine From the Water to My Mill in 2011, where she also published her first stories.
About The Illustrator
Ronan Badel was born in 1972 in Auray, Brittany. A graduate of Decorative Arts of Strasbourg, he began writing and illustrating children’s books, publishing his first book in 1998. After several years teaching illustration at a Paris art school, he settled in Brittany and devoted himself to creating children’s books. In 2006 he published his first comic book, Petit Sapiens.
