Genre 4 Nonfiction: WOLVES

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 1993. WOLVES. HarperCollins. ISBN: 00060225343

PLOT SUMMARY
This is a non-fiction book that gives us an idea of what wolves in the wild are truly like. It begins by explaining the many good things about wolves, and tries to show how false many of our beliefs and fears of wolves really are. This book showcases the many wonderful attributes of wolves. It shows us through beautiful photographs and well written text the way that wolves live in the wild.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is full of gorgeous photographs of wolves in nature. Each page of text is accompanied by a beautiful full page glossy photo. Each of these pictures is relevant to the text that is on the opposite page. The text is clear, simple and easy to understand without being condescending to the reader. It is an informational book that is interesting and well written. It does not just list facts, but tends almost to be telling a story. It gives information and explanations in an easy tone that keeps things interesting for the reader. One example of how the book works is that on one page we see a photograph of a wolf running through water, and on the accompanying page the text is written as “The wolf looks much liked a German shepherd with thick, shaggy fur and a bushy tail. The fur is extra thick in winter and is a good protection against rain or snow. Water runs off a wolf’s fur the way it runs off a raincoat.” This text is written in a way that a child can understand it. It gives real life examples and explanations that children can relate to. Comparing the wolf to a German Shepard, and water running off a raincoat, are things that children can identify with and connect with, so the book is more meaningful to the student. This is a well written book with superb pictures and it would definitely be a book that I would recommend for any elementary library or classroom.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
"From School Library Journal Grade 4-6-Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this photo essay. Through the appealing full-color photographs and succinct, conversational text, these dynamic, affectionate, and highly intelligent animals are shown to possess many positive traits, such as loyalty, cooperation, and adaptability. A broad range of information is touched upon lightly, including physical characteristics, habitat, hunting and diet, breeding and raising pups, and some unique facts about pack hierarchy and howling."

From Booklist "Gr. 2-4. As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about how wolves live in the natural world, what they look like, how they hunt, how they rear their young, etc. The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation."

CONNECTIONS
Read a variety of books about wolves, and design a book cover
Display a variety of books about wolves
Read other books by the same author Seymour Simon: SNAKES, BIG CATS, and WHALES