Genre 2 Book Review of DREAM WOLF

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Goble, Paul. 1990. DREAM WOLF. New York, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0-02-736585-9

PLOT SUMMARY
DREAM WOLF is the retelling of the story of the KINDLY WOLF. The story is about two Plains Indian siblings, Tiblo, and Tanksi, and what happens to them as they get lost in the mountains. The two siblings are supposed to be picking berries when they go off on their own to explore some hills. Before long they realize that they are lost and that day has turned to night. They find a cave to sleep in and during the night the boy, Tiblo, has a dream about a wolf. In the dream the wolf sleeps with them in the cave and keeps them warm. In the morning they wake up and try to find their way back home, but find they are completely lost. As they try to find their way back home Tiblo spots the wolf from his dream and asks him for help. The wolf leads them down the mountain and back to their home. As the children recant their story for their people the people react by honoring the wolf. For many years the wolves and the people lived happily, but as hunters came they killed and drove the wolves away, and until people like the children in the story return, the wolves will stay away.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has beautiful and rich text that tells the story of the two young siblings. The rich colors used in the illustrations help to give the book an “earthy” feel, as if one is transported back to a time when the land did not belong to any one people, but was shared with all creatures. The illustrations of the night scenes are very dark and sharp, and give the feeling of how scary it must be to be alone in the mountains when it turns to night. The pictures also showcase how the people and the animals can all live together. Blended into the colorful scenery are the wild animals. Some of the animals are very obvious, and others are barely noticeable. The plot is easy for children to follow and understand. The book is written as if a person was talking and telling this story aloud. One can also see and feel the emotions of the main characters through the text. Tiblo realizes he is the one who has gotten his sister and himself into this mess, and he feels responsible for her. He does his best to take care of her. The little sister, Tanksi, begins to cry, and Tiblo “speaking of happy things” goes on to find a cave for them. Later he takes her by the hand as they go down the mountain. Though as in most folktales they do not dwell on emotions. It appears to be a spiritual journey that they are on. The resolution is for the most part a happy one, with the children being found, but it does end on a rather sad note with the morale message that at one time the wolf was a friend to people, but that has changed due to human’s mistreatment of the wolf. This folktale is told almost in a poetic way. Children and adults will appreciate the simple style and beautiful illustrations of this story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Publishers Weekly: “Dream Wolf is filled with glowing imagery—the illustrations showing nightfall, the children’s search for shelter and the wolf’s first, dreamlike appearance are particularly riveting . Once again, Goble has captured the lives and legends of this tribe in a magnificent picture book.”

From Booklist: “This revised edition of (the) 1972 picture book, The Friendly Wolf, looks and reads better than the original”.

CONNECTIONS
The class could read other stories about “good” wolves.
The class could read a variety of folktales about Native Americans.
The class could read other books by the same author Paul Goble that are also Native American folktales: THE GIRL WHO LOVED HORSES
BUFFALO WOMAN
STAR BOY
HER SEVEN BROTHERS