Review: The Baddest Wolf of All?
The Baddest Wolf of All?
by David Sherrin, illustrated by Martín Morón
Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules
Buy at Bookshop.org
Wolf feels he must live up to his big bad name, except he enjoys doing nice things like carrying bags for Red Riding Hood. In order to become the Big Bad Wolf he believes the world expects, he asks an Evil Queen to be his teacher. She instructs him to give Snow White a poison apple. Wolf thinks this will be an easy task until he meets Snow White and finds her charming. Unable to stop himself, he helps her out in the kitchen and dances with her. When it comes time to offer the poison apple, Wolf decides he can’t hurt someone who has been so friendly to him. Soon after, Wolf learns (to his surprise) that his real name is Badrick and “Bad” was just a nickname. This means he doesn’t have to be bad if it makes him unhappy.
The Baddest Wolf of All? is a visually appealing book. The vibrant illustrations, filled with storybook characters, are sure to attract the attention of young readers. Parents and children alike will enjoy the many lines which make direct references to well-known fairy tales. This is a fun fractured fairy tale with a strong moral underpinning. However, there is nothing inherently Jewish about this picture book. Not even the “Dear Reader” letter at the end, which serves as an author’s note, has any Jewish content. While one could argue that the message of the book reflects Jewish values, this reviewer believes that this book does not qualify for Sydney Taylor Book Award consideration.
Wolf feels he must live up to his big bad name, except he enjoys doing nice things like carrying bags for Red Riding Hood. In order to become the Big Bad Wolf he believes the world expects, he asks an Evil Queen to be his teacher. She instructs him to give Snow White a poison apple. Wolf thinks this will be an easy task until he meets Snow White and finds her charming. Unable to stop himself, he helps her out in the kitchen and dances with her. When it comes time to offer the poison apple, Wolf decides he can’t hurt someone who has been so friendly to him. Soon after, Wolf learns (to his surprise) that his real name is Badrick and “Bad” was just a nickname. This means he doesn’t have to be bad if it makes him unhappy.
The Baddest Wolf of All? is a visually appealing book. The vibrant illustrations, filled with storybook characters, are sure to attract the attention of young readers. Parents and children alike will enjoy the many lines which make direct references to well-known fairy tales. This is a fun fractured fairy tale with a strong moral underpinning. However, there is nothing inherently Jewish about this picture book. Not even the “Dear Reader” letter at the end, which serves as an author’s note, has any Jewish content. While one could argue that the message of the book reflects Jewish values, this reviewer believes that this book does not qualify for Sydney Taylor Book Award consideration.
Are you interested in reviewing books for The Sydney Taylor Shmooze? Click here!
Comments
Post a Comment